2026 DEPP Dredge Work and Sump Maintenance

The California Department of Water Resources plans to conduct maintenance activities at the Devil’s Den Pumping Plant in November 2026, focusing on dredging the forebay, repairing erosion damage, and removing vegetation and sediment from the sump. Dredging will involve attaching a Toyo pump to a crane, lowering it into the forebay, and transferring water, mud, and silt through a hose into the sump, with the entire operation expected to last approximately two weeks. Erosion repair will require bringing in fill material via dump truck, using a backhoe to fill and compact affected areas, and deploying a water truck to suppress dust and enhance compaction. Sediment and vegetation removal from the sump will involve multiple heavy equipment units including a backhoe, grader, long reach excavator, skid steer, front loader, and dozer. All removed material will be transported to a designated spoil site by dump truck, while dust control and compaction will be maintained using water trucks. These efforts are critical to preserving the functionality of the pumping plant and ensuring continued water delivery operations.