Corroded Los Vaqueros Gates Spark Push for Tougher Dam Inspections
Board of Directors • Contra Costa Water DistrictNovember 4, 2026
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Corroded hydraulic cylinders, failed seals and a scattering of invasive golden mussels at Los Vaqueros Dam's intake gates dominated the Contra Costa Water District board's Nov. 4, 2026, meeting. The update was informational and required no vote. Even so, it drew pointed demands from Board President Ernesto Avila to overhaul how the district inspects equipment it would need in an emergency. Directors also unanimously approved $955,000 in added dam design work and about $2.2M in fleet purchases.
- Los Vaqueros intake gate repairs: Phase 1 is funded at $3,367,200, with a $2,756,000 Phase 2 placeholder.
- Avila says corrosion should have been caught sooner and calls for revised inspection procedures.
- GEI Consultants contract grows by $955,000 to a $2.27M cap for dam and reservoir design.
- Board approves about $2.2M in vehicles and equipment while keeping the district clean-fleet compliant.
- Counsel expects litigation over the State Water Board's Bay-Delta plan within about 60 days.
Rust, Leaks and Mussels at Los Vaqueros
The basics: Los Vaqueros Dam has five intake gates built in the 1990s. Hydraulic cylinders open and close them, and the gates must be operable for an emergency drawdown of the reservoir after an earthquake or other incident.
Why it matters: A gate that won't move is a dam-safety problem, not just a maintenance item. The findings carry a multimillion-dollar price tag and raise questions about how the district monitors critical equipment.
Where things stand: Director of Engineering Peter Stab said crews found oil leaks on one gate in 2024, with similar concerns on Gates 2 through 4. An August 2026 dive inspection found heavy corrosion, failed seals and an out-of-round cylinder. Divers also found golden mussels at various gates.
Asked by Avila how widespread the mussels were, Stab offered a measured answer: "Actually, not that bad. I would say in the dozens," said Stab.
The repair plan: Phase 1 replaces the cylinders for Gates 1, 2 and 3 and the structural frames. It carries $3,367,200 in authorized funding. Parts have roughly six-month lead times, and installation will continue into 2027.
"The adopted FY28 budget includes a placeholder for funding for Phase 2 project earmarked in the amount of $2,756,000," said Stab. Phase 2 would address Gates 4 and 5.
Staff are evaluating whether to sole-source the work to the district's existing mechanical and dive contractors and to procure parts early. Both approaches aim to shorten the timeline. Sole-sourcing would skip the usual competitive bid.
The other side: Avila did not treat the findings as routine wear.
"The corrosion really should have been picked up, I think, sooner if we'd been doing a little bit more work on inspecting them," said Avila.
He called for revised standard operating procedures and more regular inspections. He also asked consultant GEI to focus on materials and coatings, and he urged the district to develop in-house capability with ROVs, the remotely operated underwater vehicles used for inspections. Board Vice President Antonio Martinez asked about the expected lifespan of the new equipment and how drought drawdowns factor in. Director Patricia Young, Division 1, asked about staff training.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The board took no vote. The direction from the dais was clear, however. Ratepayers face a combined repair outlay that could exceed $6M across both phases. District engineering and operations staff are likely to see new inspection routines. Contractors already on site stand to gain if staff choose sole-source selection. The golden mussel finding adds an ecological dimension the district has also flagged as a federal priority.
What's next: Staff will continue procurement evaluation for Phase 1. Phase 2 funding sits in the adopted FY28 budget as a placeholder, pending future board action.
GEI Contract Grows to $2.27M
Why it matters: GEI Consultants designs repairs at district dams and reservoirs regulated by the state Division of Safety of Dams and the federal Bureau of Reclamation. That design work feeds directly into the district's capital improvement program.
Where things stand: General Manager Rachel Murphy gave no formal presentation. She noted that GEI won a competitive procurement in 2024. Earlier amendments expedited Los Vaqueros repairs, which put other work on hold.
This sole-source amendment adds $955,000, bringing the contract to a not-to-exceed total of $2,270,000 for fiscal years 2027-28. It covers:
- Design work at the Mallard Dam, Contra Loma Reservoir and Martinez Reservoir facilities
- Instrumentation at Los Vaqueros for remote monitoring
- An update to the program's comprehensive plan
- Inspections
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Martinez moved approval, and Director Dan Fitzpatrick, Division 2, seconded. The motion passed by voice vote, with the chair announcing it carried unanimously. Individual votes were not recorded.
The amendment restarts work that was sidelined while Los Vaqueros took priority. The remote-monitoring piece aligns with Avila's push for better visibility into equipment condition.
Fleet Purchase Keeps District Clean-Fleet Compliant
The basics: The California Air Resources Board's Advanced Clean Fleets rule requires certain public fleets to phase in zero-emission vehicles. Staff said the district phases in zero-emission purchases 1-to-1 through January 2030.
Where things stand: "In terms of the fiscal impact, approval of the request authorizes approximately $2.2 million for the proposed equipment and vehicle purchases," said Director of Finance Herman Williams.
The purchase has two parts:
- Item 7A: Up to $1,667,000 for replacements, funded from the vehicle replacement program.
- Item 7B: Up to $505,000 for new purchases, drawn from the engineering and operations and maintenance fiscal year 2027 capital budget.
Williams said light- and medium-duty vehicles are typically replaced after 10 years or 100,000 miles. Heavy-duty vehicles are replaced after about 13 years.
The insider angle: Martinez credited board and staff participation on the Association of California Water Agencies' energy committee. He said that work helped persuade regulators to count leased vehicles toward compliance, a change that eases costs.
"We've made our case known to ACF, to the regulators," said Martinez.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Young moved approval, and Director Connstance Holdaway, Division 5, seconded. The motion passed by voice vote, announced as unanimous. Avila backed giving operations and maintenance crews the vehicles they need. Field staff get updated equipment, and the district stays on the right side of state emissions rules.
Bay-Delta Plan Draws Litigation Warning
Why it matters: Legal Counsel Doug Coty said the State Water Board has adopted a Bay-Delta plan and that litigation is expected within about 60 days. Any legal challenges will require board decisions.
Where things stand: Coty said the plan "seems to have pleased no one, at least publicly, at least not entirely." He said he will report developments to the board.
The federal picture: Murphy outlined post-election shifts in Washington. "Democrats have a sizable lead in the Senate and also in the House, 237 to 147 advantage in the House and 54 to 44 advantage in the Senate," said Murphy. She said incumbent area representatives did well.
The district is working with consultants on federal priorities, including golden mussels, and on lame-duck appropriations.
Director reports: Directors reported on:
- Association of California Water Agencies events
- A meeting with Assemblymember Avila-Farías on the canal replacement program
- The Oct. 30 board study session
- A National Water Resources Association event
Minor Items
- Consent calendar: Items 1 through 5 passed unanimously by voice vote on Holdaway's motion, seconded by Young.
- Closed session: The board met on the general manager's evaluation and labor negotiations, with no reportable action.
- Staffing note: Murphy will be on vacation starting Nov. 7, with the assistant general manager acting.
Looking Ahead
The board's next regular meeting is Nov. 18, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.