The Alameda County Water District’s Rubber Dam #3 (RD3) Fishway Project was completed in May 2019 and featured the construction of a new fishway around an existing inflatable rubber dam in Alameda Creek to re-establish safe passage for federally listed Central California Coast Steelhead trout and Chinook salmon in the Alameda Creek watershed. The project also included improvements to the existing dam foundation and replacement of the aging dam fabric. The project is one of two major fish ladders to be constructed by ACWD as part of a comprehensive program to restore this historic migratory corridor which has been obstructed since the 1950s. The steel-reinforced concrete fish ladder is an impressive 25 feet deep structure that allows threatened steelhead trout to migrate up and down Alameda Creek through a series of 15 stepped pools. The ladder is controlled by five gates to keep flow within the ideal for fish migration. As part of the project, the rubber dam fabric was replaced, and the base of the dam was modified to include a plunge pool to minimize injury should any stray juvenile fish overtop the inflated dam.
While the project serves as a great restoration opportunity providing significant impact on the ability of the fish to migrate back and forth and re-establish threatened aquatic life, it also allows the continued management of water resources in the Alameda Creek that serves as a major water source for the local area, providing 40% of the water supply for over 357,000 people and numerous businesses in Fremont, Newark and Union City. As one of the founding members of the Alameda Creek Fisheries Restoration Workgroup, the District has collaborated with multiple stakeholders since 1999 on efforts to benefit Central California Coast Steelhead. The Workgroup includes members from advocacy, water management, consulting, environmental, government and educational groups with interests in the Alameda Creek watershed and steelhead trout restoration. It is a testament that careful planning and meaningful partnerships can result in real advancements for the environment while protecting our area’s water supplies for years to come.
Speakers:
While the project serves as a great restoration opportunity providing significant impact on the ability of the fish to migrate back and forth and re-establish threatened aquatic life, it also allows the continued management of water resources in the Alameda Creek that serves as a major water source for the local area, providing 40% of the water supply for over 357,000 people and numerous businesses in Fremont, Newark and Union City. As one of the founding members of the Alameda Creek Fisheries Restoration Workgroup, the District has collaborated with multiple stakeholders since 1999 on efforts to benefit Central California Coast Steelhead. The Workgroup includes members from advocacy, water management, consulting, environmental, government and educational groups with interests in the Alameda Creek watershed and steelhead trout restoration. It is a testament that careful planning and meaningful partnerships can result in real advancements for the environment while protecting our area’s water supplies for years to come.
Speakers:
- Shane O’Nesky - Mr. O’Nesky was the Project Manager for Alameda County Water District on the Rubber Dam 3 Fishway project. He has served as a Project Manager for the past 20 years. In addition to working on other fish passage and fish screen projects for ACWD, he has managed projects to install production well equipment, expand desalination plants, upgrade PLC stations, and implement the clean energy program. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Davis, and holds a Professional Engineering license in Mechanical Engineering.
- Dave Latona – Mr. Latona was the Construction Manager for the Alameda County Water District Rubber Dam 3 Fishway project. Dave has over 18years experience in construction management having managed large scale water projections consisting of ecological habit restoration, environmental remediation, conveyance and treatment facilities.