Watkins Low Water Crossing

The Watkins Low Water Crossing project, managed by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, involves replacing an existing concrete crossing and riprap in San Joaquin County, California, as part of the Calaveras Fish Passage Improvements for Flashboard Dam and Low Water Crossing Project. The scope of work includes the installation of ten precast Type 2 reinforced concrete box culvert sections, arranged in two rows of five, with each section measuring approximately 10 feet wide, 21 feet long, and 8 feet high, along with the construction of associated concrete wingwalls. The project is located in-channel of Mormon Slough, approximately one mile downstream of the Escalon-Bellota Road Bridge. Technical requirements include grading approximately 650 linear feet of streambed to create a 10-foot-wide low-flow channel with 2:1 side slopes. This effort involves approximately 2,204 cubic yards of excavation and 1,815 cubic yards of fill within a 43,000-square-foot project footprint. All disturbed areas will be finished using native and engineered streambed materials. The project is classified under NAICS code 237310 and has been granted a Notice of Exemption from CEQA as it constitutes a minor alteration and replacement of existing facilities without expansion of use.