Sawyer Camp Trail: December Update

We’ve got some beautiful winter weather ahead on Sawyer Camp Trail! Major construction work next to the trail has wrapped up until late January. Vehicles on the trail have become a rare sight this month!

The trail is now open every day from sunrise to sunset. Some work may occur in early January to prepare for winter storms and this may require short trail closures, however we don’t expect any lengthy disruptions.

In late January, a portion of the water pipeline that runs adjacent to the trail will be “shut down” and emptied of water to allow for seismic upgrades. The trail will need to be closed for 2 or 3 days in order to stage equipment needed for these important water system improvements.

Some construction work will take place in the Peninsula Watershed during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. The drill rig that is set up on the shoulder on Crystal Springs Road near Polhemus will be present through the end of the December. A small crew is working on the existing water pipeline.

In the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, demolition of the Crystal Springs outlet tower (see photo) continues next week and into January. This work is part of the seismic upgrade of the transmission system that carries water from the reservoir to the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant in Millbrae.

Please subscribe (see right) for automatic email updates about 2012 Sawyer Camp Trail closures. We can be reached 24-hours a day at (866) 973-1476 if you have any questions or concerns. Happy Holidays!

Outlet structures at Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, 2011.

Lane Closure in December on Crystal Springs Road near Polhemus

Beginning Wednesday, December 14^th, portions of Crystal Springs Road between Skyline Blvd. and Polhemus will be closed to one lane from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through one open lane at all times. The work is expected to finish by December 23^rd, Monday through Friday only.

Our Crystal Springs Pipeline No. 2 (CSPL2) runs through the area and provides water to San Mateo County. The CSPL2 project team is preparing for work to replace and upgrade this portion of the water pipeline in mid-2012.

Please call 24-hours a day with any questions: (866) 973-1476.

Lane Closure on Crystal Springs Road Near Sawyer Camp Trail – December 8 and 9

Thursday and Friday (December 8^th and 9^th) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., portions of Crystal Springs Road between Skyline Blvd. and Polhemus will periodically be closed to one lane. Flaggers will be present to direct traffic through one open lane at all times.

The Crystal Springs Pipeline No. 2 (CSPL2) team will be “potholing” – a limited activity with a small crew – in advance of work in 2012 to replace and upgrade the CSPL2 drinking water pipeline. This pipeline provides water to San Mateo County and runs through unincorporated San Mateo County, Hillsborough, Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno, South San Francisco, Brisbane and Daly City.

Please call 24-hours a day with any questions: (866) 973-1476.

Trail Update

Sawyer Camp Trail is open! Work to prepare the trail for the rainy season continues, and you may see construction crews at a few different locations from the .5 to the 3 mile marker. We do expect additional closure days in December. If you have not already done so, subscribe for updates by entering your email to the right-hand side of this website.

Near San Andreas Trail, PG&E has finished water-testing their gas pipelines and is continuing to clean up the area next to the northern-most end of San Andreas Trail. This PG&E work is a separate project from the continuing marine construction in San Andreas Lake (scroll down to read story from November 18, 2011).

The lane closure on Crystal Springs Road near Polhemus has been postponed until early January. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming work near that intersection.

Please call us 24 hours with any questions at (866) 973-1476!

Sawyer Camp Trail 3-Day Closure – November 30 to December 2

Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed this week on November 30, December 1 and December 2 (Wednesday through Friday).

The closure is necessary as construction crews continue seismic upgrades to our Crystal Springs/San Andreas water pipeline. Work also continues to prepare for winter rains and to complete new access road segments. The new access road segments will allow maintenance crews to reach the pipeline with minimal disturbance to recreational users of Sawyer Camp Trail.

Please call us 24 hours a day with any questions or concerns!

Underwater Construction Continues in the Peninsula Watershed

San Andreas Lake, the reservoir just west of the City of San Bruno, is the site of a large regional water improvement project, however construction work is taking place beneath the surface of the water. Demolition of a 1930’s-era water transmission tunnel is in progress 40 feet underwater!

Divers are razing this structure underwater, yet one would never know walking around the lake.  From the shore of San Andreas Lake, the only sound one can hear is the diver’s air compressor and support equipment. The tunnel will be replaced with a new underwater intake structure in 2012 that will send water from the reservoir to the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant for distribution to our taps.

In addition to the divers, hikers on San Andreas Trail may see boats and yellow booms in the water connected to this construction. The yellow booms are called silt curtains: underwater “curtains” that protect water quality and keep species out of the work zone.

PG&E is also doing major work this autumn near the San Andreas Trail – water testing the gas pipelines. The PG&E work is an unrelated project and is expected to wrap up by Thanksgiving in this location.

At the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir work site, next to the southern trailhead to Sawyer Camp Trail, divers are working nearly 100 feet beneath the water’s surface. To work at that depth, seven divers are required for one day’s work.  Each diver may spend 45 minutes underwater before resurfacing. Currently, the team is installing supports for new valves.

Marine construction in both reservoirs continues through 2013 as part of the Crystal Springs/San Andreas Transmission System Upgrade project. Please call us 24 hours at (866) 973-1476 with any questions.

Sawyer Camp Trail 2-day Closure – November 16th and 17th

Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed for two days on November 16^th and 17^th (Wednesday and Thursday). The entire trail will close those two days, to reopen at sunrise on Friday morning.

During the closure, our project team will deliver additional rock to new access road segments and continue seismic upgrades on our Crystal Springs/San Andreas Pipeline. The closure is also necessary to prepare for winter storms at construction sites near the trail. 

Please contact us 24-hours a day with any questions or concerns!

Crystal Springs Reservoir Projects Update

Sawyer Camp Trail reopened today at sunrise after a 2-day closure. More short trail closures are likely this season…please stay tuned!

San Andreas Trail to the north remains open…but PG&E gas pipeline water-test work (including 50 blue “tanks” that hold discharged water) will continue adjacent to the northern-most tip of San Andreas Trail through November.

This weekend, work on the parapet wall and stilling basin of the Lower Crystal Springs Dam will continue all day Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, about 25 cement trucks will deliver concrete to the upper and lower dam areas from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. The trucks will travel through the intersection of Crystal Springs Road and Skyline Blvd., so please use caution and expect some traffic delays near the southern trailhead to Sawyer Camp Trail.

Next week on November 7^th (Monday) and November 10^th (Thursday), the final large-scale concrete pours will take place at the Lower Crystal Springs Dam. Both days, 50 concrete trucks will arrive during the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Truck traffic to the dam will continue until Thanksgiving, but at a much smaller volume.

Some construction vehicles will need to drive on Sawyer Camp Trail this Saturday, as work continues on our Crystal Springs/San Andreas Pipeline. This Sunday the trail will be construction-free! Please call us 24 hours a day with any concerns at (866) 973-1476.

Sawyer Camp Trail 2-day Closure - November 2nd and 3rd

Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed for two days on November 2^nd and 3^rd (Wednesday and Thursday).

During the closure, our project team will deliver additional rock to our new access road segments, and continue seismic upgrades on our Crystal Springs/San Andreas Pipeline. Water in this pipeline has been “turned off” for the months of October and November to facilitate this work.

Notice the unusual green color on some slopes along the trail? This is a temporary, first step of re-vegetation. This bright green soil stabilizer will turn brown and blend in with the surrounding landscape as it dries. During next year’s dry season, we’ll be re-planting native plants in these locations.

One more thing of interest to trail users: the Lower Crystal Springs Dam concrete pours will continue through mid-November. The biggest day will be on Tuesday, November 1^st when approximately 65 trucks will deliver cement using Skyline Blvd., Crystal Springs Road and Polhemus Road. Much smaller pours (just a few trucks) are expected on October 28^th (Friday) and October 31^st (Monday).

Construction of a larger stilling basin, Lower Crystal Springs Dam.

Please do not hesitate to call with your questions or concerns!

Sawyer Camp Trail Open

The entire Sawyer Camp Trail is now open! You will see some construction vehicles driving on the trail daily for the next several weeks. The largest truck is expected to be a water truck, necessary to control dust at the pipeline work locations next to the trail.

                                                                    

Additional short trail closures are expected this fall. Please subscribe to this website (see right) to get automatic email updates!

Neighbors have asked us about the night work currently taking place on Highway 280 above the Lower Crystal Springs Dam. This is a Caltrans project to improve drainage on the freeway. Caltrans expects the work to be completed by November 15^th, prior to the official start of the rainy season.

Please call us 24 hours a day with any questions or concerns!

Busy Day -- Work Near Sawyer Camp Trail on Monday, October 24th

On Monday, October 24^th Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed from the Hillcrest Gate to the 5 mile marker. This northern-most one mile section of trail will close all day for routine water system maintenance. You will be able to enter the trail at the southern trailhead (Skyline and Crystal Springs Road) and enjoy the first five miles of trail, but there will be no through access at Hillcrest.

The southern portion of the trail will be open Monday, but hikers may see something unexpected: A Hydroseed Truck on the trail! The truck will be applying “Earth Guard” onto the slopes near the trail to prevent erosion. Earth Guard is an environmentally friendly soil stabilizer, and the work is monitored by wildlife biologists. This must be done in advance of the winter storms, but does not require the trail to be closed.

The next big concrete pour for the Lower Crystal Springs Dam stilling basin will take place this Monday, October 24^th. 90 trucks will deliver cement to the area between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. using Polhemus and Crystal Springs Road. A smaller pour is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25^th with about 20 to 45 cement deliveries starting at 6 a.m. Construction on the Lower Crystal Springs Dam stilling basin, spillway and parapet wall is expected to finish on schedule by November 15^th!

Please contact us 24-hours a day with any questions or concerns at (866) 973-1476.

Map of work near Sawyer Camp Trail in 2011 and 2012. Click to enlarge.

Peninsula Watershed Update

v     Reminder: Sawyer Camp Trail is closed for two days on October 19th and 20^th (Wednesday and Thursday). The entire trail will be closed for two days - to reopen at sunrise on Friday, October 21^st.

v     On Monday, October 24^th Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed from the Hillcrest Gate to the 5 mile marker. This northern-most one mile section of trail will close all day for routine water system maintenance. You will be able to enter the trail at the southern trailhead (Skyline and Crystal Springs Road) and enjoy the first five miles of trail, but there will be no through access at Hillcrest.

v     Work continues on the Lower Crystal Springs Dam stilling basin. The next big concrete pour will take place this Monday, October 24^th: 90 trucks will deliver cement to the area between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. using Polhemus and Crystal Springs Road. A smaller pour is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25^th with about 20 to 45 cement deliveries starting at 6 a.m. Construction on the Lower Crystal Springs Dam stilling basin, spillway and parapet wall is expected to finish on schedule by November 15^th!

Please contact us 24-hours a day with any questions or concerns at (866) 973-1476!

Sawyer Camp Trail 2-day Closure: October 19th and 20th

TRAIL CLOSURE:

Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed for two days on October 19th and 20^th (Wednesday and Thursday). The entire trail will be closed for two days - to reopen at sunrise on Friday, October 21^st.

The closure (originally scheduled for earlier this month) is needed to prepare for the rainy season at construction sites near the trail. Also, 100 trucks will deliver rock to complete new access road segments that run along our water pipeline. These access roads will enable repairs and maintenance of the Crystal Springs/San Andreas Pipeline… without driving on Sawyer Camp Trail!

WEEKEND WORK:

Crews will be working this Saturday and Sunday at the Lower Crystal Springs Dam work site (near the southern trailhead to Sawyer Camp Trail) in order to complete work prior to winter storms. Work will also continue all weekend on the Crystal Springs/San Andreas Pipeline adjacent to Sawyer Camp Trail. The pipeline was recently emptied of water for a short window of time to allow for seismic upgrades and valve replacements. Small pick-up trucks and one water truck for dust control will need to drive on the trail both Saturday and Sunday at speeds no more than 5 mph.

POLHEMUS AND BUNKER HILL

All day Friday, October 14^th our team will be removing soil from a staging area along Polhemus between Crystal Springs Road and Bunker Hill Drive. You may notice our flagger directing traffic on Polhemus. This work will break for the weekend, but may need to resume on Monday (October 17^th).

Please contact us 24-hours a day with any questions or concerns!

Heavy Truck Traffic Expected on Skyline and Crystal Springs: Thursday, October 13th

A short rain delay has moved the concrete pour for the Lower Crystal Springs Dam stilling basin to Thursday, October 13^th. This will require 90 cement truck deliveries near Skyline Blvd. and Crystal Springs Rd. throughout the day (5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.) this Thursday. Please use caution near the southern trailhead to Sawyer Camp Trail!

Crystal Springs Reservoir Projects Update

Heavy truck traffic is expected this coming Wednesday, October 12^th along Skyline Blvd. and Crystal Springs Road. 90 cement trucks will deliver concrete for the Lower Crystal Springs Dam stilling basin beginning at 2 a.m. on Wednesday and continuing until 5 p.m. (The pour was originally scheduled for earlier this week and postponed due to the storm).

Heavy rain this week also postponed a necessary 2-day closure of Sawyer Camp Trail. A trail closure is anticipated the third week of October…stay tuned for the exact dates!

Underwater seismic construction in Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir near the southern trailhead to Sawyer Camp Trail is progressing rapidly. Hikers on Sawyer Camp Trail will see more boats and other equipment in the water this week.

Everything that enters the water is carefully cleaned under the supervision of marine engineers and wildlife biologists. Protecting water quality and native species is top priority to the project team! The yellow floating booms in the water are silt curtains – an underwater curtain that keeps species out of the work zone and sediment inside. Similar underwater work continues in San Andreas Lake, west of the town of San Bruno.

Near the northern trailhead of the San Andreas Trail, you may also notice PG&E gas-line testing work currently underway (scroll down to see story and photo from August 24, 2011).

Please subscribe (see right) for automatic email updates about Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System work in the Peninsula Watershed!

Silt Curtains in Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir near Sawyer Camp Trail.

Update: Sawyer Camp Trail Closure Postponed

Due to the expected stormy weather conditions, construction activities planned near Sawyer Camp Trail for Wednesday and Thursday have been postponed. The trail will be open both days.

If you like running the trail in the rain, enjoy!

Please subscribe (see right) to receive an email update with the rescheduled closure dates.

Upcoming Sawyer Camp Trail Closure

Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed for two days on October 5^th and 6^th (Wednesday and Thursday). The entire trail will be closed for two days - to reopen at sunrise on Friday, October 7^th.

This closure is needed to prepare for the rainy season at numerous construction sites near the trail. Also, 100 trucks will deliver rock to complete new access road segments that run along our water pipeline. These access roads will enable repairs and maintenance of the Crystal Springs/San Andreas Pipeline… without driving on Sawyer Camp Trail!

Our project team continues to work nights and weekends in the area near Skyline Blvd. and Crystal Springs Road in order to complete work prior to winter storms.

Please contact us 24-hours a day with any questions or concerns: (866) 973-1476

Water pipeline work near Sawyer Camp Trail, September 2011.

Sawyer Camp Trail Open Sunrise to Sunset!

Sawyer Camp Trail has reopened after a one-day closure! Additional trail closures are expected this fall and winter, but the project team will keep the trail open to the public whenever possible during our water pipeline upgrade work.

Remember, Sawyer Camp Trail is always closed from sundown to sunrise. Construction crews are now working during these hours in order to minimize inconvenience to trail users. For your safety, please do not enter the trail before 6 a.m., after 8 p.m., or whenever it is dark outside. You might encounter large construction vehicles…or a mountain lion!

The southern portion of the trail now has several active construction sites nearby. Truck traffic on the trail is expected to reach a peak this September and October, as crews perform seismic upgrades to 150 connection points along the pipeline. Sundays are free of construction-related driving (a few small pick-ups will need to use the trail on Saturdays). Our crews will no longer be driving from the 3 mile marker to the Hillcrest Gate – the northern half of the trail is now entirely free of construction activity!

Cyclists: please proceed slowly around blind turns.

Subscribe to this e-newsletter (see right) for automatic email updates about work in the Peninsula Watershed.

Upcoming Trail Closure: Thursday, September 22nd

Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed all day next Thursday, September 22^nd. The entire 6-mile trail will be closed and will reopen on Friday, September 23^rd. The closure is necessary as crews continue work on the water pipeline that runs near the trail.

The project team is preparing for a “shut down” of the water pipeline in early October: emptying the pipeline of water allows crews to upgrade connection points and to reinforce existing pipe with carbon fiber lining. We expect increased construction activity in the Sawyer Camp Trail area throughout September and October.

Reminder: Sawyer Camp Trail is normally open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Please do not enter the trail after hours…you will encounter an active construction zone! In order to keep the trail open as much as possible during the Crystal Springs/San Andreas Transmission System Upgrade, work is routinely scheduled very early in the morning and after hours.

Please call our 24-hour answering service if you have any questions or concerns. You can also receive email alerts about construction in the Peninsula Watershed by subscribing to this e-newsletter (see right); or follow us on Twitter: @SawyerCampTrail.

Sawyer Camp Trail: Construction Update

Thank you to the regular users of Sawyer Camp Trail for bearing with our construction and necessary truck traffic on the trail! Truck traffic is expected to reach a peak this September and October – so remain cautious as you travel the southern portion of the trail. Our drivers are required to travel no more than 5 miles per hour – but sometimes even that pace can make for a surprise on the trail. If you see any activity that concerns you, please call our 24-hour answering line: (866) 973-1476. A good alternate: The northern portion of the trail from Hillcrest Gate is truck free!

In early October, our water pipeline adjacent to the trail will be “shut down” so that crews can install new valves. This pipeline project involves seismic upgrades to 150 connection points and replacing more than 2,000 feet of pipe.

Short trail closures are expected this autumn, but our team is making every effort to minimize inconvenience to trail users.

The good news?

• Sundays are currently free of construction-related driving (Park Rangers and Watershed Keepers do still patrol the trail, as always).

• Work along the northern half of the trail is now complete. Our crews will no longer be driving from the 3 mile marker to the Hillcrest Gate.

• By next spring, new dedicated access road segments will allow more than 80% of the water pipeline to be reached without driving on Sawyer Camp Trail. Construction traffic on the trail is expected to be rare after January 2012.

The Crystal Springs Reservoir System provides emergency backup and supplementary drinking water supply to San Mateo and San Francisco counties. Please call us 24 hours a day with any comments or questions at (866) 973-1476.

Pulgas Water Temple Now Open!

The Pulgas Water Temple reopened to the public on Friday morning, September 2^nd. Some minor re-landscaping continues, but the temple grounds and parking lot are now open for normal hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Wedding reservations can be booked for 2012 by calling (650) 872-5900.

The Pulgas Water Temple and the facilities around it serve the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System and function as part of our Crystal Springs Reservoir System. The Crystal Springs Reservoir System provides emergency backup and supplementary drinking water supply to San Mateo and San Francisco counties.

Sawyer Camp Trail has also reopened after a one-day closure on Thursday, Sept. 1.  

Lastly, late tonight and all day on Saturday, September 3^rd, frequent cement truck deliveries near the southern trailhead will occur. This major concrete pour for the Lower Crystal Springs Dam stilling basin will be completed after this weekend. Following this weekend’s work, truck traffic in the area will still be present, but lighter than the last few Saturdays.

Enjoy the beautiful holiday weekend in the Peninsula Watershed!

The temple was built in 1934 to mark the location where the waters of the Sierra reach the Peninsula.  

Sawyer Camp Trail to Close on Thursday, September 1

Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed all day next Thursday, September 1^st. The entire 6-mile trail will be closed and will reopen on Friday, September 2^nd. The closure is necessary as crews continue improvements to the water pipeline that runs adjacent to the trail.

Work also continues at the base of the Lower Crystal Springs Dam. Continuing this Friday night and for the next two weekends (through September 3rd), increased truck traffic will be present on Black Mountain Road, Skyline Blvd., Crystal Springs Road, and Polhemus Rd. near the southern trailhead to the Sawyer Camp Trail.

On Friday, August 26^th at 11 p.m., trucks will be delivering cement for the foundation pour at the base of the dam. Truck traffic will continue throughout the night, and throughout Saturday day until approximately 6 p.m.

This work will enlarge the dam’s stilling basin to ensure any spillway flows are slowed as they enter San Mateo Creek.

Please call our 24-hour answering service if you have any questions or concerns. You can also receive email alerts about construction in the Peninsula Watershed by subscribing to www.sfwater.org/SCT or follow us on Twitter: @SawyerCampTrail.

Concrete pour at the base of LCSD, August 13, 2011.

PG&E to Perform Water-test of Lines Near San Andreas Trail

Hikers along the San Andreas Trail near San Bruno may have noticed two large green trucks near the northern trailhead (see photo below). These trucks are onsite as part of PG&E’s nearby pipeline testing (www.pge.com). These trucks - called “Baker Tanks” - receive and contain the water that PG&E uses for these tests.

Starting on Sunday, August 28^th and continuing for a few weeks, trail users may see up to 52 tanks near the San Andreas Trail as PG&E progresses with testing.

This activity is not related to Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System construction in San Andreas Lake.

Increased Truck Traffic on Friday Nights thru Saturday Days (Approximately 6PM)

Continuing tomorrow night and for the next three Friday nights (through September 3rd), increased truck traffic will be present on Black Mountain Road, Skyline Blvd., Crystal Springs Road, and Polhemus Rd. near the southern trailhead to the Sawyer Camp Trail.

On Friday, August 19th at 11 p.m., trucks will be delivering cement for the continued foundation pour at the base of the Lower Crystal Springs Dam. Truck traffic will continue throughout the night, and throughout Saturday day.

The work will enlarge the dam’s stilling basin (see photo) to ensure any spillway flows are slowed as they enter San Mateo Creek.

Please call our 24-hour answering service if you have any questions or concerns. You can also receive email alerts about construction in the Peninsula Watershed by subscribing to www.sfwater.org/SCT or follow us on Twitter: @SawyerCampTrail.

Increased Truck Traffic on Friday Nights into Saturday Mornings

Starting tonight and continuing for the next four Friday nights (through September 3rd), increased truck traffic will be present on Black Mountain Road, Skyline Blvd. and Crystal Springs Road near the southern trailhead to the Sawyer Camp Trail.

Beginning tonight, Friday, August 12th at 11 p.m., trucks will be delivering cement for a large foundation pour at the base of the Lower Crystal Springs Dam. Truck traffic will continue throughout the night until approximately noon on Saturday.

The work will enlarge the dam’s stilling basin (see photo) to ensure any spillway flows are slowed as they enter San Mateo Creek.

Please call our 24-hour answering service if you have any questions or concerns. You can also receive email alerts about construction in the Peninsula Watershed by subscribing to www.sfwater.org/SCT or follow us on Twitter: @SawyerCampTrail.

Red-shouldered Hawks Leave the Nest

In spring 2011, our construction team encountered a new friend in the trees near San Andreas Lake…a nesting red-shouldered hawk! To protect the large bird and her nest, the team gave the hawk a wide buffer zone and carefully phased in work under the full-time supervision of a wildlife biologist.

Four fledgling hawks successfully left the nest in late June and are thriving in the town of Millbrae (photo above).

The ongoing construction in the Peninsula Watershed is monitored by biologists and environmental experts. If you have any questions about the Water System Improvement Program, please call us 24-hours a day at (866) 973-1476.

Sawyer Camp Trail Closures

Don’t forget…the Tour de Peninsula event is this Sunday, August 7th. Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the annual ride. For route info, check their website at http://www.supportparks.org/tdp/

On Monday morning August 8, Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed from the Hillcrest Gate in Millbrae to the 5-mile marker from 6 a.m. to noon. Only one mile of the northern section of the trail will be closed – the southern entry at Crystal Springs Road and Skyline Blvd. will remain open, but there will be no through access.

A short closure of the southern section of the trail is expected in August. Subscribe here (see right) for automatic trail closure alerts via email, or follow us on Twitter: @SawyerCampTrail!

Sawyer Camp Trail Closures in August

Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed at the Hillcrest Gate in Millbrae on Monday, August 8. This closure will be limited to a one-mile segment of the trail as crews restore and re-pave the trail at San Andreas Dam. The trail will remain open from the southern trailhead at Skyline Blvd. and Crystal Springs Road to the 5-mile marker.

Sunday, August 7th is the annual Tour de Peninsula Bicycle Ride. Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed for the event from 6 a.m. to noon on Sunday morning. Cañada Road between Edgewood and Highway 92 will be closed from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. for both the Tour de Peninsula and Bicycle Sunday.

We anticipate additional trail closures in August. Please subscribe (see right) to receive automatic updates about closures and other information for recreational users of the Peninsula Watershed.

Upcoming Trail Closures

San Mateo County Park Rangers will close San Andreas Trail from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27th for required seasonal maintenance. The closure is required for fire prevention and other routine trail upkeep.

For a great resource on other trails and parks in the area, visit the Bay Area Hiker website at http://www.bahiker.com/ or check out the San Mateo County Parks site at: http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/site/parks/ .

Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed at the Hillcrest Gate in Millbrae on Monday,
August 8. This closure will be limited to a one-mile segment of the trail as crews restore and re-pave the trail at San Andreas Dam. The trail will remain open from the southern trailhead at Skyline Blvd. and Crystal Springs Road to the 5-mile marker.

Please subscribe (see right) to receive automatic updates about trail closures and other information for recreational users of the Peninsula Watershed.

Sawyer Camp Trail Now Open

Sawyer Camp Trail is now open following San Mateo County Parks’ seasonal maintenance work (mowing, as well as removal of diseased trees and hazardous branches).

Construction work continues at San Andreas Dam, one mile south of the Hillcrest Gate. Please use caution near the construction zone.

Near San Andreas Dam, you may see the recent burn performed this week by CalFire. Don’t worry – this seasonal fire prevention is perfectly routine!

Tree-cutting continues near the trail as part of work to seismically upgrade the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System. Crews are clearing trees and brush in order to access our existing water pipelines that move water between the reservoirs. You may notice a clearing at the 1.5 mile marker -- the location of a new access road. Biologists are carefully monitoring all activity. Tree restoration plans require replacement trees to be planted -- in some cases three new trees will be planted for every one tree cut!

Please subscribe (see right) for email alerts with future trail updates.

Trail Closure Update

Sawyer Camp Trail is now closed for required seasonal maintenance by the San Mateo County Parks Department. The closure is scheduled through Thursday, July 14th. If possible, Park Rangers will reopen the trail on Thursday. Please subscribe (see right) for an email alert when the trail reopens, and to receive information about future trail closures.

If you have any questions about the Water System Improvement Program, please email us at: peninsula@sfwater.org or call (866) 973-1476.

Northern Section of Sawyer Camp Trail Closed on Wednesday night, June 29th through Friday, July 1st

A northern portion of Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed from the Hillcrest Gate entrance in Millbrae to the 4.5 mile marker beginning this Wednesday, June 29th at 5 p.m. The closure will be in effect through Friday, July 1st. When the trail reopens, please use caution as a metal plate will be located on the trail near the San Andreas Dam (approximately 1 mile south of the Hillcrest entrance).

The southern trailhead at Skyline Blvd. and Crystal Springs Rd. will be open as usual, but hikers will need to turn around by the 4.5 mile marker. No through traffic will be permitted. If you frequent the northern section of Sawyer Camp, you may have noticed lots of construction activity! Crews are seismically upgrading the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System -- ongoing work in the Peninsula Watershed is to enhance the reliability of San Mateo County’s emergency water supply.

Additional closures planned in July not related to the construction project:

July 11th: Cal-Fire tentatively plans to do seasonal fire prevention on Monday morning July 11th, and may close the northern trailhead at the Hillcrest Gate for a few hours.

July 12th – 14th: San Mateo County Parks will close the entire trail for three days (Tuesday through Thursday) to do required seasonal maintenance.


Please subscribe for automatic updates on trail closures (see right)!

Temporary Sawyer Camp Trail Closures in July

Construction work to seismically upgrade the water pipeline near Sawyer Camp Trail continues, especially near San Andreas Dam. The San Andreas Dam is located between the 5.1 and 5.3 mile markers, about 1 mile south of the Hillcrest Gate.

Fast-moving cyclists or roller bladers at this northern portion of Sawyer Camp Trail are advised to slow down as they approach the area. In addition to trucks entering and exiting the trail, steel plates will be installed over a small trench. Please observe the trail speed limit at all times! Restoration of this section of the trail is scheduled for after the July 4th holiday – requiring a short closure of the northern end of Sawyer Camp Trail.

There are a few other closures planned in July not related to the construction project:

 - July 11th: Cal-Fire tentatively plans to do seasonal fire prevention on Monday morning July 11th, and may close the northern trailhead at the Hillcrest Gate for a few hours.

 - July 12th – 14th: San Mateo County Parks will close the entire trail for three days (Tuesday through Thursday) to do required seasonal maintenance.

Please subscribe for automatic updates on trail closures (see right)!

Routine Fire Prevention Work Postponed

Sawyer Camp Trail will not close today -- routine fire prevention work has been postponed due to weather conditions. Please subscribe to this e-newsletter (see right) to receive automatic updates about the reschedule date.

The trail will close for short intervals for seasonal maintenance and for work on the water pipeline adjacent to the trail.

Short Trail Closure on Monday, June 20th

Seasonal fire prevention work will close the northern portion of Sawyer Camp Trail this Monday morning, June 20th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sawyer Camp Trail will be closed from the Hillcrest Gate to the 3-mile marker.

The southern trailhead at Skyline Blvd. and Crystal Springs Road will remain open all day.

Coming Soon: Underwater Work

Do you have questions about work in the water at Crystal Springs and San Andreas reservoirs?

You may have seen the bright yellow booms currently prominent in San Andreas Lake and the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, north of Highway 92 just off Highway 280. The booms are silt curtains which block animals and plants from entering the work zones and protect water quality by containing disturbed sediment. Sawyer Camp Trail users will see silt curtains near the southern trailhead this summer.

Silt Curtains in San Andreas Lake near San Bruno; May 12, 2011

 

Divers will perform underwater seismic upgrades at depths of over 100 feet, and boats will continue to be a frequent sight. All watercraft and materials are carefully screened to prevent non-native species and contaminants from entering the water.

To receive construction updates and important information for recreational users of the Peninsula Watershed, subscribe to this page (see right) or follow us: http://www.twitter.com/sawyercamptrail.

Wildlife Protection Measures for the Crystal Springs Reservoir Projects

Ever wonder about the short construction fencing that has popped up around the Sawyer Camp Trail area? The black fabric fencing is only 42 inches high, but what you can’t see is it extends 6 inches below the ground! This is to prevent sensitive or endangered species from entering construction zones. This wildlife exclusion fence is monitored by onsite biologists and maintained by the project team. You can easily jump over the fence…but please don’t! You would be entering an active construction site.

Wildlife exclusion fence prevents species from entering work zone.

You may also have seen a new gravel access road on Skyline Blvd. just south of Black Mountain Road (above Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir). This is a new access road which allows our construction team and water department staff to reach our pipeline directly (rather than use Sawyer Camp Trail!). You may see a few more of these roads in the watershed in the coming months.

Hikers may also see some tree-cutting taking place near Sawyer Camp Trail this spring and summer. This is the start of the work that will seismically upgrade our 7 mile pipeline. The tree-cutting process is carefully monitored and supervised by biologists. Restoration plans require replacement trees to be planted -- in some cases three new trees will be planted in the Peninsula Watershed for every one tree cut!

Construction Update at Peninsula Watershed Reservoirs

Silt curtains to protect species and water quality

delivered to San Andreas Lake: May 10, 2011

Barge and Dive Boat Launching at San Andreas Lake:

Does the water level appear low to you at San Andreas Lake? It will continue to get slightly lower to accommodate upcoming underwater seismic improvements. You may also see our crew transporting large marine equipment near the trailhead to San Andreas Trail and the northern entrance to the Sawyer Camp Trail.

The construction team must use the Hillcrest Gate entrance for water craft and other large equipment, which may cause delays on Hillcrest Blvd. (near Skyline in Millbrae, just west of 280). Large deliveries are expected over the next couple of weeks, with work in the reservoir taking place all summer.

If you frequently access Sawyer Camp Trail from Millbrae’s northern trailhead, the trail will remain open! Follow us on Twitter for real-time updates about activities: http://www.twitter.com/sawyercamptrail.

Pulgas Water Temple Temporary Closure:

Further south in the Peninsula Watershed (along Cañada Road), the Pulgas Water Temple is closed as of Monday, May 23rd and is expected to reopen in late summer 2011. Please subscribe (see right) in order to receive an email when the temple reopens.

Saving the Rare Red-Legged Frog

Thousands of young California red-legged frog tadpoles now have better odds for making it to metamorphosis and adult life in a marshy new home along the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir. While still in the egg stage, they were relocated from the Lower Crystal Springs Dam construction site by wildlife biologists in preparation for work to raise the dam’s parapet wall.

A concrete pit atop the dam filled with rainwater created a hospitable habitat for the rare and federally protected amphibian. By March 2011, the pond had seven egg masses attached to floating plant stems, and five adult frogs. The team also saved approximately 200 Pacific tree frogs and 100 rough-skinned newts from shallow ponds on the Lower Crystal Springs Dam construction site.

Red-Legged Frog relocated from construction site in spring 2011.

Peninsula Watershed Construction Update

Both Sawyer Camp Trail and San Andreas Trail remain open…and spring weather is finally here!

Neighbors and hikers in the area of San Andreas Lake may see work throughout the spring and summer along the shore. The ongoing installation of silt curtains into the reservoir protects water quality and keeps fish and other species out of the work zone. Divers will perform seismic upgrades at depths of over 100 feet. These upgrades enhance our ability to transmit raw water from San Andreas Lake to the nearby Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant.

Please subscribe to this e-newsletter (see right) to receive updates via email. We can also be reached 24 hours a day at (866) 973-1476.

Pulgas Water Temple Temporary Closure

The Pulgas Water Temple will be closed for several weeks beginning on Monday, April 25, 2011. The temporary closure enables critical water system work to take place in the entrance and parking lot areas. Reopening is expected in late summer 2011.

The Pulgas Water Temple and the associated facilities around it serve the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System and are components of the Crystal Springs Reservoir System. The Crystal Springs Reservoir System provides supplementary water supply to San Mateo and San Francisco counties, and is the primary emergency water source should delivery from the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct be interrupted.

The work is part of the Water System Improvement Program to repair, replace and seismically upgrade the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System.

Please contact us with any questions or concerns at (866) 973-1476, 24 hours a day. For email notification when then Pulgas Water Temple reopens, subscribe to this blog!

Construction Crews Prepare for a Busy Spring Near Sawyer Camp Trail

A new sight you can expect in late April is a large crane along the shoreline of the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir near the southern end of Sawyer Camp Trail. Don’t worry, the large equipment is only here temporarily -- and when the project is complete there will be permanent improvements to the great view pictured below.

Lower Crystal Springs Dam after removal of the bridge, January 2011.

Work on the Lower Crystal Springs Dam project is moving forward rapidly, especially as we enter the dry season. Crews may work some nights and weekends in the area in order to complete major construction before the rainy season begins next winter.

Many trail users last month noticed our team recording a video along Sawyer Camp Trail. The pre-construction survey is finished, and you may see additional tree cutting along the trail in the coming weeks. This work is supervised by biologists and is a carefully monitored process.

Sawyer Camp Trail remains open, and will be closed only for short intervals during construction. Subscribe to this blog for updates.

Please feel free to call with any questions or concerns, 24 hours a day: (866) 973-1476.

Peninsula Region Construction Launch Event Celebrates 4 Major Projects

Last Wednesday at the Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), San Mateo County Board President Carole Groom, the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency and officials from throughout San Mateo County gathered to launch another $320 million in upgrades for the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System. Together these improvements will allow the SFPUC to provide water service to over 1 million people in San Mateo County and San Francisco within 36-hours of a major earthquake.

The event was held on the water’s edge adjacent to the two outlet towers that draw water out of the Crystal Springs Reservoirs. These historic structures built in 1891 and 1936 by Spring Valley Water Company are scheduled to be demolished and submerged under the water line as part of the upgrades. Work at these structures and in the reservoirs represents the most extensive underwater work in the Water System Improvement Program. Additional work in the area includes upgrades to the spillway and parapet wall at the top of the Lower Crystal Springs Dam. Built in 1890, this concrete, gravity-arch dam later served as a model for the Hoover Dam.

“San Mateo County residents and businesses depend on this regional water system. It has taken years of planning and collaboration by many agencies to reach this point,” said Carole Groom, President of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. “There will definitely be some inconvenience due to construction, but this inconvenience pales in comparison to not having access to clean drinking water.”

The projects celebrated include upgrades to the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant (www.sfwater.org/peninsula), Crystal Springs Pipeline No. 2 (www.sfwater.org/cspl2), Lower Crystal Springs Dam and Crystal Springs/San Andreas Transmission System (www.sfwater.org/sct and www.Twitter.com/SawyerCampTrail).

Stormy Weather Necessitates Swing Shift in Crystal Springs Reservoir Area

Night work will be ongoing adjacent to the Sawyer Camp Trail area -- from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Saturday –- as the project team makes up time due to rain delays and the relocation of a sensitive species (an unexpected neighbor…bats!) As most construction area noise is below the decibel level of nearby Highway 280, recreational users of the area are unlikely to notice the change in work hours.

If you live in the gorgeous hills above the Lower Crystal Springs Dam, you may see additional night-time illumination below Highway 280. The work crew has taken extra care to ensure these lights point downward, rather than in your direction!

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments at (866) 973-1476, 24 hours a day.

Biologists carefully relocate bats from the roof of building slated for demolition; March 17, 2011.

Other Water System Improvements in San Mateo County

Sawyer Camp Trail users who also utilize El Camino Real may notice minor preparatory work begin in mid-March for the Crystal Springs Pipeline No. 2 Replacement Project. Limited construction activity will also begin in South San Francisco.

For more details, including project maps, visit: www.sfwater.org/CSPL2.

Enjoy the beautiful week at Sawyer Camp Trail! Please contact our team if you have any questions or comments about construction in your area: (866) 973-1476, 24 hours a day.

Video: What's Up with WSIP?

Watch this short video and learn the latest about the SFPUC’s Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) to rebuild and seismically upgrade the Hetch Hetchy Water System.

Update: Work Begins at San Andreas Lake and Continues at Sawyer Camp Trail

Is the San Andreas Trail one of your regular hiking spots? If so, you may see workers near San Andreas Lake preparing for construction with fencing and some tree cutting. Both are necessary steps to protect the environment as construction starts. San Andreas Trail will remain open for everyone throughout construction.

Not far from the southern entrance to Sawyer Camp Trail, crews are installing support columns for the foundation of the new Crystal Springs Pump Station. Noise should be minimal, but ground vibrations may be felt near the trailhead (Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., ongoing to mid-March).

Please Be Aware: Parking may become more limited near the Sawyer Camp Trailhead, as construction activity increases. The project team realizes that parking is already difficult at Sawyer Camp Trail, and will make every effort to preserve access. Stay tuned for more details!

Please contact us any time with questions or concerns. 24 hours a day, toll-free: (866)-973-1476

Crystal Springs Reservoir area, 1960

Construction is here!

Construction fence installation and tree removal have started near the Sawyer Camp Trailhead.

The extensive construction fencing you see ensures animals and visitors stay clear of our active construction areas. In addition, tree removal is a necessary step to clear the land before we can work on the pipeline. Don’t worry - tree removal is a carefully monitored process – ensuring appropriate access for construction without negative impacts to the natural environment.

Also, last week – Boat Sighting on the Reservoir!

If you walked Sawyer Camp Trail last week, perhaps you glimpsed a rare sight: a boat on the reservoir! On January 13th and 14th, a dive team began inspecting the Dam’s underwater outlet structures – about 100 feet below the surface. Soon this sight will become more common as divers perform seismic upgrades to these underwater outlet systems. Work will take place in all three reservoirs (Upper and Lower Crystal Springs, and San Andreas Lake).

Diving Team on Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, January 14, 2011

 

Please subscribe to this newsletter for regular updates about construction in the SFPUC’s Peninsula Watershed, or follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/SawyerCampTrail.