When Trees Attack: Tuolumne County's Water Supply Woes

In a surprising twist of nature’s fury, Tuolumne County has declared a state of emergency after more than 200 trees took a tumble onto PG&E’s Main Tuolumne Canal. The aftermath? A major disruption to the local drinking water supply, which relies on this canal for about 95% of its needs. If you thought falling trees were just a nuisance, think again; they’re now a catalyst for conservation efforts throughout the community.

The county’s water system, described by Supervisor Ryan Campbell as“very old”and“very antiquated,”is now under pressure. Campbell is advocating for immediate state and federal funding to replace infrastructure that dates back to the 1800s and poses significant risks during winter storms. Meanwhile, residents like Cedar Ridge’s Paul Slemmons are feeling the impact, forced to skip car washes to conserve water.

With the PG&E crews facing difficulties accessing the canal, cleanup efforts are ongoing, and there’s hope that repairs will be completed by March. Let’s just say, if you thought spring cleaning was tough, imagine getting the county’s water system back in order after a wild winter storm!