Nicholas Construction to upgrade California’s Mojave River Pipeline with new screen system
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (UI) — Nicholas Construction Inc. has been awarded a nearly $6.3 million contract to build the Mojave River Pipeline Traveling Screen Project, aimed at improving water delivery efficiency and enhancing regional groundwater recharge.
Construction is set to begin in late April 2025, with completion expected by March 2026. The centerpiece of the project is a new traveling screen facility at the start of the Mojave River Pipeline (MRP), designed to reduce moss and debris entering the pipeline. This improvement is expected to restore system capacity and increase the reliability of water conveyance from the California Aqueduct to recharge sites along the Mojave River.
“This project is located in a critically underserved area where water scarcity is a major concern,” said Mojave Water Agency Engineering Manager Tesfaye Demissie. “We are working on an accelerated construction schedule to complete it within a year.”
Originally completed in 2006, the MRP is a key component of the region’s water infrastructure. In addition to the traveling screen, the project includes construction of a new two-acre recharge basin and pipe modifications to increase recharge capacity at an adjacent 40-acre site. The basin will store surplus water when available and release it during dry periods to support long-term water resilience.
“We are honored to have been selected for this critical infrastructure project,” said Alex Silicz, Vice President at Nicholas Construction. “Our team looks forward to implementing these enhancements, which will improve water reliability and benefit the region for years to come.”
Funding for the project includes two major grants: $2.09 million from the California Department of Water Resources and $1.75 million from the EPA’s Community Grants Program for Stormwater Capture and Recharge. The project is being delivered in compliance with the Build America Buy America Act, prioritizing domestic materials and supporting U.S.-based manufacturing and job creation.
The Author
Mary Holcomb is the Digital Editor at Gulf Energy Information, where she oversees digital operations for Underground Infrastructure. With over five years of experience, she leads digital content strategy and day-to-day operations for this industry-leading publication.
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