Project Scope: An old spring site in use by multiple properties in Forestville, CA was experiencing poor collection at the spring head. The spring had been tapped and in use for a long time, as evidenced by the multiple iterations of collection piping and spring boxes found buried in the mud surrounding the active seep zone. Two horizontal wells had been drilled adjacent to the seep zone 3 years prior in an effort to boost waning supply, one of which had since ceased to function and the other had experienced ~ 70% reduction in flow rate. The seep zone was producing ~ 3 gallons per minute, all of which was flowing out of the area uncollected.

Site Assessment: Initial flow rates and seep footprint measurements were taken to develop a plan to collect the water emerging along a 25′ hydrated edge. The spring box location was surveyed and rudimentary collection wall dimensions were estimated to aid in creating a detailed implementation plan.

Installation: The new collection wall, filter package materials (1 yard of 2-5″ cobble, 3 yards of 3/4″ drain rock), capping materials (3.2 oz. weedmat and HDX plastic sheeting), collection piping and spring box were installed over the course of three full days.

• Day 1: Excavation and laser leveling of collection wall footprint, removal of excess mud. Transport and staging of 4 yards of rock for the collection package materials. Washing of the main filter package materials.
• Day 2: Cutting and heat-shaping of the bamboo rhizome barrier HDPE collection wall. Preparation of clay cobs for lining the collection wall foundation. Installation of the wall, wall penetrations cut, and initial filter package material emplaced. Spring box sited and placed.
• Day 3: Completion of filter packages. Addition of remaining drain rock, capping of spring with weedmat and HDX followed by 3-4″ of native soil. Completion of collection piping and integration with the spring box.