UNDERSTANDING
The Canyon Tunnel Project
Together with its partner Oakdale Irrigation District (OID), South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) is constructing a bypass tunnel for its Joint Supply Canal (JSC). The project, currently referred to as the “Canyon Tunnel Project,” would increase water delivery reliability into the next century.
The JSC conveys water from the Goodwin Dam diversion on the Stanislaus River to both SSJID and OID. The Canyon Tunnel Project would bypass a risk-prone portion of the JSC downstream of the Goodwin Dam, extending around 12,000 feet downstream to a point where the JSC departs from the Stanislaus River canyon. An unstable rock slope occasionally drops rock onto this section of the JSC. The new tunnel would provide a safer work environment for District personnel and additional supply reliability for the District and its customers, including the cities of Manteca, Lathrop, and Tracy that all rely on treated drinking water for their communities. The tentative project schedule concludes construction in 2028.
Facts and Figures
Creating a Dependable Water Supply for the Next 100 Years
Once completed, the Canyon Tunnel is expected to last for 100 years without the need for major work. This project will significantly reduce maintenance costs, protect employee safety, and advance regional water security for years to come.