San Joaquin Field Division Liner and Instrumentation Project

The San Joaquin Field Division Liner and Instrumentation Project, managed by the California Department of Water Resources, involves the expansion of the California Aqueduct concrete liner raise and the installation of water level monitoring systems. Originally approved in 2020 for a 1.65 mile stretch, the revised project scope has been expanded to 12.6 miles, specifically targeting the raising of concrete liners in Pools 24 and 25 and the installation of monitoring instrumentation in Pools 22 and 25. This expansion is documented in an August 2025 Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration to ensure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The project is classified under NAICS code 237990 and is located in Bakersfield, California. Construction is expected to last between six and eight months, with work hours generally restricted to 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Key technical requirements include the demolition of 15 existing monitoring wells according to DWR Well Standards Bulletin 74-90, utilizing pressure-grouting with a cement/bentonite mix. Environmental safeguards are mandatory, requiring qualified biologists to perform nesting bird surveys and manage the relocation of special-status species to mitigate ecological impacts.