After lying dormant for more than 25 years, the Auburn dam construction site in the canyon below Auburn is again buzzing with activity. This time, however, the earth-movers and dump trucks are not pouring concrete; instead they are busy excavating and resurrecting the long-buried American River streambed!

Part of Phase 1 of the Placer County Water Agency pump station project, the excavation work involves the removal of an estimated 750 thousand cubic yards of dirt and rock that filled the dry river channel when the coffer dam failed in 1986. The contractor (Manning Construction of Redding) is actually ahead of schedule on this part of the project. Other components of Phase 1 will include constructing the pump station, a diversion/intake structure, and associated facilities including pipelines, access roads, power lines and safety features.

The Phase 2 contract will go out to bid in the next two months. That contract will include building an intake for the pump station, closing the Auburn dam diversion tunnel, and completing the recreational features of the project. Work on both phases should be completed by the summer of 2005. At that time the project area, including the newly restored river, will be fully opened to public recreational use.