Stage and Rain Gauges at Altamont Creek and Arroyo de la Laguna
Summary
SCH Number
2026080381
Public Agency
Zone 7 Water Agency
Document Title
Stage and Rain Gauges at Altamont Creek and Arroyo de la Laguna
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/13/2026
Document Description
Zone 7 will install new stream gauging equipment at two locations: Livermore, CA, and Sunol, CA. The installations will include three field cameras, two telemetered pressure transducer probes, ten staff gauges, and associated telemetry equipment. This equipment will benefit the public, Zone 7 Water Agency, and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), who are providing partial funding support for the project. The field camera system will enable real-time visual monitoring of stream conditions, debris accumulation, and channel flow, supporting storm response and operational decision-making during high-flow events. The new steam gauge in Sunol, CA will further allow for:
1) Better understanding of the hydrology along Arroyo De la Laguna (ADLL) located in Sunol, CA
2) Improve the flood agency’s early flood warning system
3) Fill stream and precipitation data gaps along ADLL
4) Provide real-time stream and precipitation data to the public
Construction activities include manually dug footings for the equipment box near top of bank, mounting galvanized pipes along the channel slope for the probes, and mounting several staff plates along the channel slope. In all, the working footprint dimension for the two structures is approximately 50 square feet. This project will have minimal/ no impact on baseline noise and riparian vegetation.
Temporary construction noises will be small and limited to a few hours during business hours.
The target construction date for each camera location is set for Summer/Fall 2026, and for each location it will take approximately 1-2 days to construct the pole mounting equipment, then approximately 1 day to install the field camera and telemeter equipment. Field surveying and camera calibration of the station will take 2-3 days. In total it will take approximately 2 weeks of onsite field activity.
Ongoing operations and maintenance of this station may require staff to periodically enter the riparian corridor where the field probes/cameras are placed.
Contact Information
Name
Elke Rank
Agency Name
Zone 7 Water Agency
Job Title
Sr Water Resources Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Livermore, Unicorporated Sunol
Counties
Alameda
Regions
San Francisco Bay Area
Cross Streets
Altamont Creek at Bluebell and ADLL at Hwy 84
Zip
94586
Total Acres
<1
Jobs
2
Parcel #
96-375-17, 99-1305-96
State Highways
680, 84
Railways
UPRR
Airports
Livermore
Schools
Sunol Glen,
Waterways
Altamont Creek, Arroyo de la Laguna
Township
3S
Range
1E
Base
MDBM
Other Location Info
Two independent sites.
One proposed field camera will be placed on the existing Zone 7 gauge structure (37.71843, -121.74318). An additional field camera will be installed upstream of the bridge on the left bank access road ( 37.71864, -121.74288). The station’s closest address that could be referenced is the Marin Pound Neighborhood Park, 2010 Bluebell Dr, Livermore, CA with the nearest cross street on Shire Ct, Livermore, CA. Gauges will be located within Zone 7 property.
The proposed field camera will be placed along Arroyo de la Laguna and within the SF Public Utility Commission (SFPUC) property (37.592999, -121.883069). The exact location is still tentative, but the field camera may be installed within this vicinity along the left bank’s terrace. The station’s closest address that could be referenced is 11600 Pleasanton Sunol Rd, Sunol, CA 94586 with the nearest cross street on Pleasanton Sunol Rd, Sunol, CA. Access is within the SFPUC fence property so public access will be restricted.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15301
Reasons for Exemption
None of the conditions noted under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines 15300.2 (as revised) will occur. Furthermore, this project will not result in potential for significant environmental impacts because:
• Work will be limited to the smallest footprint practicable.
• Only hand equipment will be used to install the gauge and appurtenances.
• No vegetation will be removed as part of this project.
• No changes to the streambed or bank as part of this project.
• No impacts to sensitive habitat or wildlife are expected.
• There is not a reasonable possibility that the project could result in a significant impact.
County Clerk
Alameda
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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