Rebuilt flume system gets back to work

by Sunny Lockwood

“Water is flowing through the ditches, canals, and rebuilt flumes on the Utica Power Authority’s system. Nine months and 14 days after the Darby Fire cut off UPA’s water system, the water was turned back on Wednesday. 

Rebuilding the historic three-quarter mile flume was complicated by the steep cliffside terrain and winter weather. Helicopters had to fly in portions of the iron trestle that held the wooden flume boxes. 

While crews labored from the fall to this month, a temporary overland pipe system powered by pumps kept about 10 cubic feet a second flowing to the city of Angels Camp, Murphys, and other nearby communities. 

When water began flowing Wednesday, UPA operators watched for leaks or other problems, but saw none, said Operator Dave Powell.

He said that the flow was increased to 30 cubic feet a second on Friday. “Angels Creek will have about two-and-a-half cubic feet a second in it and Murphys Creek will have 20 cubic feet a second,” he said. 

Water in the restarted system flowed at a rate of 20 cubic feet per second, and there is no longer any need for people to practice emergency conservation, said John Hubbell, UPA field administrator. 

“Everything’s fine, we’re back to normal,” he said. 

UPA’s two powerhouses – one in Murphys and one in Angels Camp – have been idle since the Darby Fire destroyed the flumes Sept. 5. “