Once a 130-square-mile lake up to 30 feet deep, Owens Lake was shrinking fast when the City of Los Angeles began diverting water during the early 1900s. The area then became prone to massive dust storms that created a significant health hazard. In 2000, the LADWP embarked on a series of projects to treat and stabilize at least 30 square miles of the dry lakebed, most recently focusing on the fast-paced Phase VII Project.

Phase VII, completed in May 2010, brought Barnard’s involvement to seven projects totaling roughly $380 million in infrastructure construction. Together, the projects included installation of more than 300 miles of pipe, over 40 pump and filtration stations, extensive SCADA and controls, over 150 miles of roadway and berm construction as well as building construction. The projects were remote, posing challenges in acquiring and retaining a labor force as well as receiving materials and equipment. All of the projects required accelerated schedules to meet the Owner’s environmental obligations. Peak employment reached more than 250 people and as many as 25 crews in order to meet these fast-track schedules. Project conditions, including quicksand, high temperatures, and dust storms, required the use of specialized equipment and techniques.

In addition, the Owens Lake projects included a design-build project covering $73 million worth of work accomplished in just 18 months. One project required planting 30 million saltgrass plugs in the month of July and then operating and maintaining facilities over a period of 36 months, work valued at $32 million. Barnard staff trained the Owner’s personnel in operation of the facilities and then turned over those facilities to the Owner’s representatives.