Protect the Historic Amador Waterways

Who is PHAW?
The Protect the Historic Amador Waterways group (also known as PHAW - pronounced "paw") formed in May 2001 to preserve our county's historic waterways. We started when the AWA announced its proposal to put in a cross-country pipeline that would ultimately dry up Amador's last remaining continuously-running water canal from the historic Gold Rush era and thus significantly impact the Jackson Creek watershed, since leaks in the canal have fed the creek flows for decades.

Our members represent a wide cross-section of the population, including teachers, doctors, engineers, attorneys, ranchers and lots of other concerned citizens throughout the county and beyond. Membership in PHAW is free to anyone who is concerned and wants to help. To learn more about PHAW or become a member, please email us at contactus@amadorcanal.org or call 296-4463.

Isn't a pipeline better than a canal?
No, because the pipeline's negative impacts have not been properly mitigated.

• Growth Inducing - The pipeline has opened the door for rapid growth and large developments at the expense of existing ratepayers.
• Environmental Damage - The pipeline project will dewater the Amador Canal. This is disastrous because:
  • The water currently leaking from the canal seeps and travels through the ground over a 5000-acre area. Without the canal, Jackson's Creeks will dry up in the summer and fall months. The seeps and leaks also recharge ground water for local wells, which will be in jeopardy if the canal is dried up.
  • Wildlife and vegetation that depend on these water sources will die or will migrate into settled areas in search of water.
  • It will nearly dry up New York Ranch Reservoir and negatively impact our local fire suppression ability.
  • It would be a huge historical loss of a Gold Rush-era structure.
  • It would lower property values for land along the canal and pipeline, with no compensation to landowners. Some Williamson Act land will be seriously damaged by the reduction in water availability.
• Economic Burden - The pipeline project does not make good economic sense. It has cost over $20 million to date. To finish the project, AWA will spend millions more dollars as they decide how to decommission the Amador Canal. These costs are already being passed on to the ratepayers with annual rate hikes for the City of Jackson.
• Water Quality - The Amador Canal transports raw water; so does the pipeline. Either way, the water must be treated before being consumed. In fact, the canal oxygenates the water, treats it with ultraviolet, and passes it over a natural rock, gravel and soil filtration system. With the pipeline, the untreated water sits stagnant in Lake Tabeaud before entering the pipe. So it is possible that the pipeline water quality will be even worse than the canal water quality.

Are there any alternatives to decommissioning the Amador Canal?
By keeping a low flow in the Canal to serve customers along its route, the small amount of leakage would keep Jackson Creek alive in the summer, and AWA ratepayers would save the multi-million dollar price tag of decommissioning the canal. The saved cost of interest alone could be used to maintain the canal.

Doesn't it make sense to save the water we're losing from canal leaks?
Water 'lost' through seeps and leaks of the Canal is NOT lost. It travels through and above the ground to maintain year-round flow in Jackson Creek tributaries, supporting aquatic and animal life, as well as vegetation. It also recharges ground water for local wells. Some ends up in Lake Amador and keeps the lake level higher in the summer for better fishing and recreation. It helps provide fire suppression by keeping vegetation from becoming tinder-dry. And the evaporation of the water helps to cool the air in the surrounding area. Review our watershed map and creek flow information.

Isn't it just a few disgruntled property owners that oppose this project?
No. Anyone who lives in, does business in, or visits the western portion of Amador County should be concerned, because this issue affects the growth and future of our area. All AWA ratepayers and all City of Jackson water customers will be affected financially.

I don't live near the canal or pipeline route. Why should I care?
The pipeline has affected growth and water rates all over the county. The project is not even completed yet and the additional costs will be passed on to ratepayers.

Will my water rates go up?
Yes, they already have, and bigger increases are coming. The 2007 AWA Financial Plan and Water Rate Study shows a 12% increase to treated water customers in each of the next two years (July 2008 and July 2009).

Is our environment really threatened?
Animals and vegetation in the region have depended on this water for 130 years. Majestic old trees will die. Animals will migrate in search of water, putting not only their lives at risk as they cross busy roads and highways, but also our lives at risk as they potentially bring disease and danger into our backyards and gardens. Also, our area's fire suppression ability will be greatly reduced as the "green belt" along the creeks and canal becomes tinder-dry. The creeks in Jackson will be dry during the hottest summer months, eliminating the evaporative cooling affect that currently lowers ambient air temperatures in the vicinity. Click on the chart at right to see how the canal flows correlate to the flow in Jackson Creek.

How can I help? What can I do?
Everyone can contribute to this cause. We need volunteers, services and donations. Please click here to get involved!