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Heavy storm at Moccasin reservoir triggered emergency dam response; city seeks state disaster aid
Summary
A late‑March storm sent debris into Moccasin Reservoir, produced seepage at Moccasin Dam and prompted emergency action, small evacuations and interim repairs estimated at $15–$20 million; the PUC lists about $40 million in projects and the city is pursuing CDAA state assistance after FEMA declined federal aid.
Adrian, describing the late‑March event, said a storm delivered "a little over 3 inches of rain in 4 hours" to upcountry facilities near Moccasin, which sent debris and landslides into the reservoir and produced seepage on the dam face that triggered the utility's emergency action plan.
The response included immediate downstream notifications and small‑scale evacuations. Adrian said the emergency spillway functioned but sustained damage from overtopping; engineers then drained the dam to continue delivering water to the city so there was "no interruption in our water supply at all." He told the council the emergency declaration has enabled stop‑gap interim repairs carried out by contract and PUC crews and that the city expects to perform about $15 million to $20 million in work under that declaration.
Mark said the incident has produced a project list of roughly 57 distinct projects the PUC currently estimates at about $40 million. He said the city engaged Cal OES to seek federal assistance but FEMA determined the event did not meet the federal assistance threshold. As a result, city staff have submitted an application for aid under the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) and scheduled a kickoff meeting for the 25th in Moccasin to begin the state cost‑recovery process.
The council heard that the Division of Safety of Dams inspected the site and will continue to guide both preliminary and longer‑term remediation. Council members were told the PUC will work on a capital improvement project to address observed damage and return the dam to restricted, monitored service before the next rainy season.
The meeting record shows the city is coordinating cost recovery and next steps with the controller's office and DEM; no formal vote or ordinance was taken on the matter at this meeting.
