All eyes are on the Central Valley's water crisis after President Obama flew in to see the
drought impact firsthand.
Plans for the construction of a new $12 million reservoir near Woodlake would prevent excess
water from flowing downstream.
drought impact firsthand.
Plans for the construction of a new $12 million reservoir near Woodlake would prevent excess
water from flowing downstream.
An artist rendering of the proposed McKay Point Reservoir shows the area that would have
to first be dug up.
to first be dug up.
"The general tax payers if you will, would not be financially exposed to this project
whatsoever," said Tulare Irrigation District Manager Paul Hendrix.
whatsoever," said Tulare Irrigation District Manager Paul Hendrix.
The property owners Tulare Irrigation District, Consolidated Peoples Ditch Company, and the
Visalia and Kaweah Water Company would pay for construction by selling the dirt
and rocks that are mined out of the basin.
Visalia and Kaweah Water Company would pay for construction by selling the dirt
and rocks that are mined out of the basin.
Former mechanical engineer Del Strenge has studied the ground water in this area for
decades.
decades.
"It's greed and the dollar that's the driving force behind all of this," said
Strenge.
Strenge.
He says the slurry walls that would be built under the surface to keep water from seeping
out, would interrupt the flow of ground water.
out, would interrupt the flow of ground water.
Some are worried about what that could mean for surrounding towns with existing wells near the
project.
project.
"That well is the sole source of water for the community off Lemon Cove. Needless to say we are
concerned," said Bill Pensar with the Lemon Cove Sanitary
District.
concerned," said Bill Pensar with the Lemon Cove Sanitary
District.
Those behind the reservoir say it would provide new water storage, flood control and generate
electricity.
electricity.
At 60 feet deep it would be able to hold 4,000 acre feet of water for areas like Visalia and
Tulare.
Tulare.
If approved, excavation could start by January but a few more years could pass before it
holds any water.
holds any water.
"Any decent hydrological study would show that this is the wrong place to put that project
as proposed," said Strenge.
as proposed," said Strenge.
Two more public comment sessions will be held:
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 1:30
pm., Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia, Visalia
Wednesday, Feb. 19,
5:30 p.m., Tulare Irrigation District Office, 6826 Ave. 240,
Tulare