California Aqueduct Milepost 139.27R Westlands Water District Valve and Pipeline Repair
Summary
SCH Number
2026020301
Public Agency
California Department of Water Resources
(DWR)
Document Title
California Aqueduct Milepost 139.27R Westlands Water District Valve and Pipeline Repair
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
2/9/2026
Document Description
Westlands Water District (WWD) requests encroachment permission to replace its existing, damaged and leaking butterfly valve and a portion of a pipeline located in its turnout in the Department of Water Resources right of way. WWD will also repair the erosion located in its turnout that occurred when the valve and pipe leaked. An approximately 25 foot long, by 25 foot wide, by 3 foot deep excavation will be made about 80 feet southwest of the turnout, to contain water that accumulated during the leak. The water will be removed using a vacuum truck, then discharged into the excavated area where it will be left to dry; once dry, the excavation will be backfilled and compacted. After the water is removed, an approximately 15 foot long by 15 foot wide by 10 foot deep trench will be excavated in the area where the leak occurred to locate the butterfly valve and pipe. To protect worker safety, a 10 foot long by 10 foot wide by 10 foot deep shoring box will be installed into the excavation, then the leaking 12-inch diameter butterfly valve and a one-foot section of 12-inch diameter steel pipe will removed, disposed of, and replaced with a new valve and pipe of similar specifications. Once the valve and pipe are replaced, the shoring box will be removed. The eroded soil, and an additional 12 cubic yards of imported clean soil, will be placed into the excavated area and the area that eroded during the leak, and will be backfilled and compacted to the original grade.
Contact Information
Name
Cody Nelson
Agency Name
California Department of Water Resources
Job Title
Planner Scheduler/UC Supervisor
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Email
Name
Alejandro Garcia
Agency Name
Westlands Water District
Job Title
Maintenance Scheduler
Contact Types
Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Counties
Fresno
Regions
Southern California
Cross Streets
Approximately 0.07 miles NW of the intersection of W. Jeffrey Ave. and the Aqueduct.
State Highways
Interstate 5, SR 145
Airports
Harris Agro West Airport
Schools
Westside Elementary School
Waterways
California Aqueduct
Other Location Info
The project is on the right side (R) of Reach 5 of the California Aqueduct (Aqueduct) in the Department of Water Resources right of way at Aqueduct milepost (MP) 139.27R. The work area is 0.07 miles northwest of the intersection of W. Jeffrey Avenue and the Aqueduct (coordinates 36.371444, -120.262156).
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15305(b) (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations – Issuance of Minor Encroachment Permits)
Reasons for Exemption
Westlands Water District requests permission to repair its existing damaged valve and pipeline, and to repair an erosion in the Department of Water Resources right of way. Work will occur in an area with an average slope of less than 20 percent, work will not result in any changes to land use or density. Department of Water Resources, as a Responsible Agency, will issue an Encroachment Permit for this work. Categorical Exemption 15305(b) (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations – Issuance of minor encroachment permits) applies.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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