Echo Lake Dam Maintenance
Summary
SCH Number
2026020097
Public Agency
El Dorado Irrigation District
Document Title
Echo Lake Dam Maintenance
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/4/2026
Document Description
The El Dorado Irrigation District (District) will perform dam safety maintenance activities at Echo Lake Dam as required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). Maintenance activities include: 1) clean out debris around lake level gage and Echo Conduit inlet structure, 2) replace rock at the heal of the dam where wave action has undercut the gunite face, 3) make minor concrete patch repairs along the upstream face of the dam and within the spillway, 4) replace and extend lake level instrumentation, 5) Reposition rock to stabilize spillway outfall, and 6) patch and repair rock wall weir downstream of the Echo Creek stream gage. All work would occur within the footprint of the existing dam and stream gage facilities.
Access to the site will be via public roads (Highway 50, Johnson Pass, Echo Lake Road). All construction access and staging will occur on existing roads and parking areas. Equipment to be used in the project activity include: excavator, skid steer loader, dump trucks, water truck, backhoe, crew vehicles, air compressors, generators, pressure washer, storage containers, and miscellaneous hand tools. The Project requires work within the lake bed immediately upstream of the Dam and at the rock wall weir located in Echo Creek. Best management practices for construction will be implemented to protect water quality (e.g., dewatering and working in the dry where possible, using containment booms for in-water work, equipment cleaning and inspection, use of vegetable-based fluids for equipment that enters the lakebed). The target date to perform the work is in the fall of 2026. Work will be performed when the lake is at the lowest level of the year and when there are no active releases from the reservoir to Echo Creek.
Contact Information
Name
Brian Deason
Agency Name
El Dorado Irrigation District
Job Title
Environmental Resources Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Unincorporated Area
Counties
El Dorado
Regions
Countywide
Cross Streets
Echo Lake Road and HWY 50
Zip
95721
Total Acres
NA
Parcel #
037010037
State Highways
Highway 50
Railways
NA
Airports
NA
Schools
NA
Waterways
Echo Creek
Township
11N
Range
17E
Section
1
Base
Echo
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1 – Existing Facilities (CCR, Title 14, Sec. 15301(m)
Reasons for Exemption
The project involves maintenance and repair of an existing dam and appurtenant structures under the supervision of the Department of Water Resources. The project involves no expansion of existing or former use of the facilities. None of the applicable exceptions to this exemption, as identified under CCR, Title 14 section 15300.2, are valid for this project, including location in an area of critical concern, significant effect due to unusual circumstances, scenic highways, hazardous waste sites, cumulative effect, and historical resources.
County Clerk
El Dorado
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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