1. Le Grand Athlone Intertie Pipeline Nearing Final Phase — CWD Briefed on Possible Future Use of $1M in USDA Grant Funds The Le Grand Athlone Water District (LGAWD) General Manager Brad Samuelson presented a detailed overview of the multi-phase, 125 CFS canal and pipeline project connecting Merced Irrigation District (MID) infrastructure to the Chowchilla River. Phase 1 is operational and delivering water; Phases 2–3 are at 100% design with a ~$30 million federal EPA (WIFIA) loan expected to close in October. The final Phase 4 — a ~1.65-mile bidirectional pipeline crossing through local property to reach the Chowchilla River — is estimated at approximately $4 million, with $242,000 needed for design engineering. CWD has approximately $1 million in USDA Rural Development funds earmarked for this project, and the board was asked to understand the project ahead of a future formal request to allocate those funds. No board action was taken at this meeting — this was informational only. Any future wheeling-fee crediting was discussed only as a potential concept to be negotiated between boards. Brad stated CWD would not control the pipeline; future operational/wheeling terms would be addressed in an agreement.
Already have an account? Sign In
