The Problem:

The project required microtunneling 183-foot shaft into Lake Nacimiento with a hot lake tap.

The Solution:

Fowler was one of six contractors in the United States who were prequalified to bid this project.  It is one of the few hot lake tap projects ever performed in the United States and is designed to provide water for five cities including San Luis Obispo, Atascadero and paso Robles.  Construction of this unique project included design and construction of a 180-foot deep shaft through a variety of challenging ground conditions including sandstone and fractured geology.  Pre-excavation grouting was performed to allow for the construction of the contractor designed shaft.  The tunnel will run more than 500 lineal feet into Lake Nacimiento, an environmentally sensitive body of water with cultural significance to Native American tribes in the area.  Recovery of the machine will be accomplished with barge mounted equipment and divers in up to 150 feet of water.  the design of the project calls for the installation of a precast transition structure and the installation of several hundred yards of underwater structural concrete, multiple precast piling and more than 500 lineal feet of Permalok T-7 10' lengths pressure tested to 90 PSI, intake screens and pipeline contracts that will eventually provide water to the clients.