STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. — Caltrans is constructing a device to capture trash and debris from stormwater runoff before the water makes its way to the Tuolumne River.
All the stormwater from the 23-acre area along Highway 99 from 7th Street to Zeff Road, including the Crows Landing interchange, gets pumped into a ditch leading to the culvert at Zeff Road. Then, it goes to the Tuolumne River.
Anton Kismetian is a design manager with Caltrans. He says the area produces a significant amount of trash. Maintenance estimates collecting 200 cubic yards of trash per year.
"It's a two-part. One is drainage inlet that captures smaller debris and sediment, then another one is the so-called 'socks' or trash nets — netting that is elongated, about 10 feet long, and they capture the larger debris," said Kismetian.
Caltrans works with state and local water agencies to protect water resources throughout the state. These trash net collection systems are being used in other parts of California too in the Bay Area, Los Angeles area and San Bernardino County.
Kismetian says the project should be finished by June.
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