Click here for the Draft 2024 Nevada County Hazard Mitigation Plan, Volume I - Basic Plan

Click here for the Draft 2024 Nevada County Hazard Mitigation Plan, Volume II - Jurisdictional Annexes

What is Hazard Mitigation?

 Sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property

 What are the Benefits of Hazard Mitigation?

• Establish eligibility for grant funds ($$$ for projects)
• Improve understanding of risks and vulnerabilities
• Reduce negative impact of natural hazards – actions save lives, reduce displacement, and speed recovery
• Encourage sustainable actions – builds strong, resilient, and self-sufficient communities
• Foster collaboration between local jurisdictions and residents

What is the Nevada County Hazard Mitigation Plan?

Step one in the Nevada County Roadmap to Resilience is the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (LHMP). This is a multi-jurisdictional plan that addresses all hazards countywide, including wildfire.  

Who are the participants?

Municipalities:

• Nevada County
• Town of Truckee
• Cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City

Special Districts:

• Nevada County Consolidated Fire
• Nevada Irrigation District
• Washington County Water
• Truckee Donner Public Utility

Natural Hazard Events History   

Nevada County has frequently experienced natural hazard events. NID has experienced damages and losses as a result.

NID Takes Action to Mitigate Hazard Events                                                                                                                                            

NID has multiple projects and programs to address risk and effects of hazard events

Other Specific Projects

1.    Maben Canal Phase IV

The project will repair various berm repairs due to undersized siphon downstream. Flow restrictions, over-toppings, and routine leaks.  NID will rehabilitate and enlarge the Maben Canal, placing approximately 662 feet of 18" pipe within the existing canal alignment, and replacing an existing 12" pipe/siphon with a new 24" pipe; 480 feet long.  Currently there is a moratorium for new or expanding customer use. This canal provides year-round in-home use for many customers. This project will lower capital costs, reduced operating and maintenance costs, increased revenue potential, and reduces threat or impact to health and safety.

2.    Tarr Canal Rehabilitation

There are numerous leaks on the shotcrete section of the canal near Old Auburn Road.  NID plans to encase 6,750 feet of the canal with a precast concrete box culvert. Further investigation may reveal additional shotcrete and reshaping portions of the canal. This project will lower operating costs and will provide regional benefit to the community; deferral of the project could cause a disruption to service and pose a threat to health and safety of our community.

3.    EV Charging Stations

The purpose of the project is to meet regulatory compliance with new California law. NID will install new PG&E service meters, transformers and two electric vehicle charging stations at the Grass Valley HQ.

4.    Combie Ophir Siphons 2 & 3

Orr Creek, Dry Creek, and Rock Creek Siphons are steel pipes constructed in the 1940s. The siphons are deteriorated, undersized, and have reached the end of their useful life. NID will design and construct 853 feet of pipeline to replace the Orr Creek siphon, 3,292 feet of pipeline to replace the Dry Creek siphon, and 3,952 feet of pipeline to replace the Rock Creek siphon. All siphons require crossing various creeks, Hwy 49, and on hospital property requiring extensive permitting and CEQA.  Combie-Ophir is a critical infrastructure for delivering raw water to customers in South Nevada and Placer Counties. The project will have a regional benefit, potential for increased revenues, and will improve our overall level of service.

5.    N. Auburn WTP

The purpose of this project is to rebuild the motor control center (MCC) at the North Auburn Water Treatment Plant for high-lift pumps and convert them to variable frequency drives.  NID will install a motor control center (MCC), electrical panels, and site electrical improvements such as wiring and conduits, along with building modifications to accommodate new variable frequency drives (VFDs). The project will result in lower operating costs, provide a regional benefit to the community, and will reduce the threat/impact to health and safety of our community.

6.    Bowman North Dam Upstream Lining Improvement Project

The existing lining has been damaged by extreme freeze/thaw action on the concreate at high elevation and is in need of significant repair to prevent serious damage to critical infrastructure.  NID will fix and improve the lining on the upstream side of the Bowman North Dam. Repairs are being required by the Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD).

7.    Rucker Creek Spill Gate Replacement

The purpose of this project is to improve canal operational efficiency and reduce safety hazards related to operator callouts during storm events. NID will replace existing radial gate at Rucker Creek Diversion with an overshot gate to improve personnel safety and operational performance. 

8.    Dutch Flat #2 Powerhouse Upgrades

Replace the station service battery bank and charger which are at the end of their useful lives and are no longer PG&E compliant.  This project is for the protection of critical infrastructure and equipment safety.

Provide an onsite backup power source for the Dutch Flat #2 Powerhouse.  This project is for the protection of critical infrastructure, mitigate service disruption and improve equipment safety.

9.    Chicago Park Powerhouse Upgrades

Replace the station service battery bank and charger which are at the end of their useful lives and are no longer PG&E compliant.  This project is for the protection of critical infrastructure and equipment safety.

Replace obsolete hardware for critical SCADA systems.  Specify, procure, and install a new remote terminal unit (RTU) for Chicago Park Powerhouse to provide modern, onsite SCADA alarming.  This project will ensure operational efficiency, safeguard critical powerhouse systems, and replace obsolete equipment.

This project will improve facility efficiency and performance by replacing or upgrading the existing turbine and main transformer (original 1960's vintage) and ensure safe plant operation by disassembling, cleaning, and rebuilding the generator at Chicago Park Powerhouse.  NID will replace or upgrade the existing turbine, main transformer, and their appurtenances. We will replace deteriorated generator windings, insulation, poles, and other generator appurtenances.  This project will ensure health and safety, operational efficiency, safeguard critical powerhouse systems, and replace obsolete equipment.

10.  Rollins Powerhouse Upgrades

Improve facility efficiency and performance by replacing or upgrading the existing mechanical governor (original 1980s vintage) at Rollins Powerhouse.  Replace or upgrade the existing governor and appurtenance for operational efficiency, health and safety and regulatory compliance.

Upgrade the protective relay system by removing the original (1980s vintage) electro-mechanical relays and installing new programmable, multi-function relays and annunciators.  This project will provide improved high voltage protection for RPH by upgrading the relay system. This will improve plant efficiency and better protect onsite equipment.