North Haiwee Dam Safety Project

The North Haiwee Dam Safety Project is vital to ensuring the seismic reliability of the North Haiwee Reservoir, a critical component of the Los Angeles Aqueduct system. Originally constructed in 1913, the reservoir’s infrastructure requires modernization to safeguard the water supply that serves millions of residents in Los Angeles. The project involves constructing a new earthfill dam, realigning infrastructure, and addressing unavoidable impacts to significant prehistoric and historic archaeological deposits. These efforts ensure both the structural integrity of this essential water supply system and the preservation of cultural and historical resources.

ESA is providing comprehensive environmental consulting services under a multi-year on-call contract with LADWP to support compliance with state (CEQA) and federal (NEPA, Section 106) regulations. ESA’s work includes conducting cultural resource management, archaeological monitoring, and paleontological services. They are implementing mitigation measures such as construction monitoring, archaeological surveys, and multi-phase testing and data recovery in collaboration with BLM and LADWP. Leveraging strong relationships with local tribes and a skilled team of professionals, ESA is effectively managing large-scale construction monitoring and ensuring regulatory compliance, preserving the area’s cultural heritage while enabling critical infrastructure improvements.