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PUC: Unexpected geologic discovery at Calaveras Dam could add about $60 million and delay work by a year
Summary
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission was told preliminary investigations at Calaveras Dam found new subsurface geology that could raise costs by at least $60,000,000 and push the schedule out at least a year; staff said further study continues and the program has a $144,000,000 management reserve.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission was briefed on a new, potentially large cost and schedule impact at the Calaveras Dam reconstruction project. A staff presenter said investigators found previously unknown geologic features at Observation Hill that will require additional excavation and disposal and that the impacts are “likely to be at least $60,000,000” with “the impact on schedule [being] at least a year.”
General Manager Ed Harrington and staff framed the findings as preliminary: additional geotechnical work is ongoing and will take another three to four weeks to better quantify costs and delays. The presenter said the Calaveras work is still early in construction, about 20% complete, and that other risk areas remain as the project continues to progress.
Commissioners were told the Water System Improvement Program (WESIP) consolidated quarterly reporting has surfaced more red flags across capital projects than previously visible. Staff noted the program currently holds about $144,000,000 in a program management reserve that can cover forecasted overruns but cautioned that a large discovery like the Calaveras issue will significantly erode that reserve.
The update placed Calaveras in context with other major program work: staff reported nearly 60% completion of the Bay Tunnel and continuing progress on the Irvington segment, while the regional program’s forecast recently increased by about $11.9 million and the local program is forecasting an approximate $21.8 million underrun.
Commissioners asked staff to continue frequent oral briefings to keep the commission apprised of developments while the technical investigation proceeds. Staff said they will bring revised budget and schedule estimates to the commission as soon as the geotechnical work yields firmer numbers.
Next steps: staff will complete the planned additional exploration and return with updated cost and schedule information for commission consideration.
