The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) Board of Directors has greenlit significant infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing recreation, environmental health, and resource management in the region.
The board approved construction contracts for two key projects slated for 2025: the modernization of the French Meadows Campground and the modification of two diversion dams on the North Fork and South Fork of Long Canyon Creek.
Both projects are part of the agency’s efforts to meet requirements under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license for the Middle Fork Project.
These upgrades will improve recreational facilities for visitors and optimize water and power management while advancing sustainability goals.
The French Meadows Campground, a popular destination in the area, will undergo a comprehensive modernization under a $6.8 million contract awarded to BRCO Construction. Constructed in the 1960s, the campground will see its facilities updated to meet the needs of modern visitors.
With more than 70 campsites, the campground attracts a significant number of Placer County residents, and its upgrades are designed to accommodate larger vehicles and camping trailers.
“This will be a complete rehabilitation of the campground,” Ben Ransom, PCWA’s Environmental Services manager, as reported by Roseville Today.
“French Meadows was originally constructed in the mid-1960s. It will be totally upgraded with wider and longer parking spaces to accommodate more modern vehicles and camping trailers. The roads within the campground will be widened to accommodate larger trailers, too,” Ransom added.
The renovations will also include enhanced accessibility features, such as flattened tent pads, ADA-compliant bathrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Additionally, new facilities like an amphitheater for public gatherings will be introduced. To facilitate the construction, the campground will remain closed for the 2025 season, with a reopening planned for 2026.
The modernization of French Meadows will coincide with the French Meadows South Shore Water Supply project, ensuring the campground’s water needs are addressed alongside other recreational facilities in the area.
This includes the installation of a vertical well and new distribution lines to replace aging infrastructure. PCWA officials noted that completing both projects simultaneously would minimize disruptions to recreational activities.