Washeshu Creek Streamflow Gaging Project
Summary
SCH Number
2025080066
Public Agency
Olympic Valley Public Service District
Document Title
Washeshu Creek Streamflow Gaging Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/1/2025
Document Description
In April 2025, the Olympic Valley Public Service District (OVPSD) was awarded a Division of Water Resources (DWR) grant as part of their Stream Gage Improvement Program (CalSIP) to reinstate and upgrade existing and historical stream gages on Washeshu Creek in Olympic Valley. Reinstatement and continued operation of these stream gages were identi?ed as a high-priority recommendation in the Olympic Valley Groundwater Management Plan 6-Year Review and Report. Collecting stream ?ow data is necessary for future assessments of basin water yield, stream function and health, and to conduct audits of the numerical ?ow model. Stream gage equipment and work that is proposed to be completed at the South Fork Washeshu Creek and Washeshu Creek at County Bridge locations consists of:
-Installation of one stream gage plate on the bank of the creek channel for manual ?ow readings.
-Telemetry equipment and an antenna in a utility box aUixed to the bridges. This equipment
will allow for real-time data collection of stream ?ows.
-A shallow (approximately 1-ft deep) trench for burying a 1.5-inch conduit that will house cables that run from the stream gage plate location to the telemetry equipment.
The North Fork Washeshu Creek location is an active USGS stream gage site, so no excavation work within the creek bed is proposed at this site. The only work proposed at this site is the installation of telemetry equipment affixed to a nearby condominium building. The District is in communication with the USGS and working with them to develop a data sharing agreement. All construction work is proposed to take place in the fall when Washeshu Creek is dry and has no water ?owing through it. The creek dries out every year between August and October.
Contact Information
Name
Dave Hunt
Agency Name
Olympic Valley Public Service District
Job Title
District Engineer
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Olympic Valley
Counties
Placer
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
39°12'24.5"N 120°12'38.2"W; 39°11'55.6"N 120°14'26
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15306 Information Collection
Reasons for Exemption
Under the CEQA guidelines, a project quali?es for a Class 6 Categorical Exemption if it “consists of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource.…” (CEQA Guidelines Section 15306).
The Washeshu Stream?ow Gaging Project quali?es for a Class 6, Information Collection (Section 15306) Categorical Exemption as the sole purpose of all three stream gages is to collect stream ?ow data and their installation will not result in major disturbances to an environmental resource. Best Management Practices will be employed throughout the project to ensure protection of the environment, both during and after installation.
County Clerk
Placer
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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