The community of Shaver Lake (then called “Pine Ridge”) was founded in the late 1800’s and the Shaver Sawmill operation began in the late 1890’s. Southern California Edison initiated its hydroelectric project in 1910, finishing it in 1927 with the completion of the Shaver Lake dam.
The Musick Meadows cabins started to be built in the 1950’s. According to the minutes from board meetings (available back to 1975, with additional notes from May of 1966) our by-laws and other legal documents were set up in 1954. The original map of the subdivision was filed with the County Recorder’s Office on February 2, 1956 (by Musick Meadows Mutual Water Co., Frank Lerrigo and Charles Myers, Partners). It included all the property except where our current tank is and the adjoining property. Our existing water tank parcel was created when Lerrigo and Myers (two Fresno attorneys) subdivided the land used for Musick Heights (approximately 1960). The water tank lots and those immediately adjacent to it (lots 80-83) became part of our water district at that time.
In 1975 a credit line was obtained to purchase a new steel water tank (to add to the existing wooden tank) and the tank was installed in 1976. Tank #1 held 37,000 gallons and Tank #2 held 29,000 gallons. The water system was planned to handle 73 units.
In 1978, the board approved use of Twining Labs for coliform tests and a chemical test was also required every three years. There were three pumps in 1978 (#2 was dry). Installation of a new tank was completed in August of 1978 and the wooden tank was removed. In 1979 another tank was installed.
In 1980, the Fresno County Health Department requested the overflow vent on the tank be screened. Also in 1980, plans were made to install a 4” line from the pumps to the tanks – in operation by 1981. In 1981 the water supply permit was issued by Fresno County as overflow vents had been screened, holes in wells #1 and #3 pumps calked, and bacteria count was acceptable. There were 64 household units in the water association.
July 1983 – Reported that Shaver Lake area sewer system was in the planning stage and was to be completed by the end of 1984. Hookup was required within three years of the completion date.
In 1985, there was maintenance on the booster pump, replacing pumps and motors in wells #1 and #3 and lowering #3 well by 70 feet. Location and depth of wells in 1985: #1- center well in pump house with controls (71 feet deep), #2 - in the lean-to pump house (46 feet deep), #3 – in low rectangular box (288 feet deep). In 1985 there were a total of 83 shares: 64 lots with cabins, one lot has two cabins, two commercial lots occupied by Sawmill, 17 vacant lots.
July 1986 – Reported that hookup with the public sewer was required in approximately one year.
In 1987, 3 flow meters were installed - one on each of the wells. In 1987, approximately 100,000 gallons of water had to be purchased during the last three months. In July 1987 it was reported that there had been discussion with Fresno County Public Works about the possibility of connection to the District #41 (Timberwine) water supply.
In July 1988 it was noted that Timberwine was in the process of running a main on the Forest Service road and we would probably be able to hook up to their main for emergency purposes.
In 1988, the wells were producing 5500 to 6000 gallons per day. In July 1988 the Board decided to put backflow preventers and meters on all businesses and houses. Sawmill was using 10% of the total water at that time. In September 1988, 16 meters with backflow preventers were purchased and placed in random locations in order to help locate possible leaks. At this time it was felt that the need was greater for a new well rather than a new tank.
In June 1989, the wells were tested and it was found that production was poor. Recommended installation of Coyote controls on well #3, replaced pressure gauge on #3. Sixteen meter assemblies were purchased in June 1989 and about 6 installed as of July. In September 1989, the Watermaster reported #3 well production was 7720 gallons per day in July and 7900 gallons per day in August. A ¾ HP pump was installed in #2 well in July 1989.
In May 1990 board approved purchase of 67 plus meters and backflow preventers and replacement of valves and boxes as necessary. Also, one of the wells is not pumping any water and the other two have been producing about 6000 gallons per day on average for the last year. In July 1990 reported replacement of #2 well pump. In October 1990 it was noted that the California Safe Drinking Water Act requires stricter bacteriological standards and public notification for position sample results. Sampling for many new organic chemicals requiring expensive lab procedures will be necessary per County of Fresno. Sampling technique: coliform and fecal test samples must be taken monthly at random locations in the system. Additional periodic samples are required for testing for organic, inorganic and radiological elements.
It was reported that Musick Meadows had a member on the task force studying shortening time when water may be available from the Lake for members of the community.
In February 1991 the board approved furnishing a meter at our end to determine the amount of water being obtained from Musick Heights. A line is still needed from the Armstrong cabin to our tanks or alternative. #41 furnished the meter at supply end. Mr. Armstrong and Musick Heights have signed appropriate easements. In July 1991, #3 well was repaired; it was producing only 200 gallons per day.
In July 1992, reported that installation of new water meters, backflow valves and remote read-outs were nearing completion.
In February 1993 it was noted that the agreement with District 41 was only verbal and the line between us and 41 still needed to be run. The original verbal agreement was for 3 years and this was the last year. July 1993 – Reported that we are using 12,000 gallons of water a day. Total water use for the 14 fulltime water users is about 2300 gallons per day.
February 1994 – Reported that water leakage was draining the tanks and that water had to be obtained from Fresno County to refill the tanks. September 1994 – Approved spending up to $3000 to get water line connection with District #41 prior to expiration of the oral agreement.
February 1995 – Reported District 41 hookup was approved by County; would proceed as soon as weather permits. July 1995 – Reported nothing had been done yet on hookup to District 41.
February 1996 – Reported committee was getting a bid from someone in Sanger to complete the connection with District 41. July 1996 – Reported that connection with District 41 was awaiting roadway being cut. July 1996 – Approved installation of Flexi-liner in water tank at $11,933.
May 1997 – Reported that the hook-up with District 41 was completed at a cost of $3,592. July 1997 – New flex-line was installed this year in the large water tank at cost of $14,822. October 1997 – Watermaster discussed status of tract’s easement regarding water hookup with District 41: nothing completed.
July 1998 – Reported problem with water meters: not useful because only read at 100 gallon measure. February 1998 – Reported that the by-laws change was to change the status of the district from a general corporation to a non-profit corporation restricted to providing water and snow removal services to the homeowners of the district. The change will save approximately $800/year in the amount currently paid in state taxes.
June 1999 – Discussion of fire protection measures: cost would be approximately $150,000, not including additional water tank or any county studies required. Spending this money would not guarantee houses can be saved. Alternatives included purchase of water tankers which the CDF or Fire Department would maintain and have at their disposal to aid in putting out fires. Cost would run into hundreds of thousands for each unit which would hold 1500 gallons and would have to be refilled often during a fire. The district is the responsibility of Shaver Volunteer Fire Dept.; CDF has secondary role (up to 3 trucks and a captain in winter months and may use helicopters in summer and retardants).
September 1999 – Reported meeting with engineer who is working with Shaver Heights on fire and water system upgrade. Estimate was $397,477. Discussed joining with Shaver Heights to share cost and 120,000 gallon tank. Conclusion: Our system is in good shape currently, can only do so much as far as fire is concerned; for forest fire can do nothing.
September 2000 – Watermaster reported that on 8/31/2000 the water tank was down to ¼ full. President instructed to prepare for use of District 41 water; a valve was installed to make hookup usable. Did not have to use 41 at this time, but it is ready as needed.
January 2003 – Well went dry and we ordered a tank of water. October 2003 – Reported meeting with water engineer Mike Taylor with, who inspected a piece of pipe that was removed from our system in the process of doing some repairs. He said the pipe sample was in good shape and should last another 20-30 years. That pipe sample was dated and kept in the pump house. The Board also asked the water master to keep a sample of pipe from all future repairs with a date so we can monitor the status of our delivery system. December 2003 – Ran out of water at 41724 Musick, tanks low, high usage. District 41 source not providing sufficient supplemental water.
July 2004 – Board signed contract last month for a 66,000 gallon bolted water tank.
July 2005 – All permits have been obtained and all is set for water tank to be installed in approximately 3 weeks.
September 2006 – Watermaster informed board that tall tank has had two leaks, one about six feet up and was repaired with a screw, grommets and a washer. The other leak is a slow leak about 12 feet up.
In July 2007, reported that the new tank is pressurized, but can’t hold or produce enough water for fire suppression. Calfire recommends 1,000 gallons per hour for two hours or a tank of 120,000 gallons.
In July 2009, reported that repairs will be done to the tall tank. The tract was experiencing low water pressure as the water level was lowered prior to repairs being made.
2010 – Because of the leaking in the tall tank and the uncertainty on how long our delivery system would last, we met with Provost and Pritchard. They made a series of recommendations on how to extend the life of our current system
Install an updated metering system to determine our daily/hourly input and outflow of water
Not do any major repairs on our delivery system until we are making repairs regularly (2-3 times a year)
Determine the depth of our existing wells
We have our current “new” tank cleaned and inspected every 3-5 years. It would include draining the tank, inspecting the inside, cleaning any corrosion/rust, and touchups or recoating the interior. It was his experience that this would significantly extend the life of the tank.
The next time we have to replace or repair our well pump that we should have a pump company video our existing well to determine what kind of condition our well is in. As he noted the well and the pump are two distinctly different parts to the system. The well inspection will tell us pretty directly how much life remains in the well.
At the Homeowners meeting, the Board was asked to determine the cost of upgrading our system for fire suppression. The Board talked with contractors, fire and county officials. It was determined that the cost would be approximately $250,000-$300,000 to meet Cal Fire standards. Homeowners were surveyed if they wanted to assess themselves the cost of upgrading the system.
2011 – In June meters were installed on both pumps and the water tank. The results of the survey on fire suppression also showed that overwhelmingly (38-10), homeowners did not want to assess themselves the additional cost of installation. The Board also decided that when major repairs are made to our system that we upgrade those sections to meet fire suppression standards (if possible).
2012 – A sacrificial anode was placed into the main tank to reduce any potential rust build-up.
2013 – With the 20,000 gallon tall tank leaking and showing a good deal of rust, the Board decided to take it off line to see if the 60,000 gallon tank could make it through the summer. At the end of the year it was determined that it was not necessary to use tall tank.
2014 – After several years of work, the Board decided to replace the existing 2 inch galvanized system with a 6 inch HDPE system that included fire hydrants. It also decided to drill a new well (existing wells were producing 3-10 gpm. It hired Huntington Construction to replace the system. The estimated cost of the project was $440,000 (not including the well). All lot owners were assessed $5,500. The work was done during the summer of 2014. The actual cost of the system upgrade was approximately half the amount of the estimate. In December of that year, the old 20,000 gallon tank was taken out. Because the existing wells were old, the Board approved the drilling of a new well. In November, a well was drilled (on Melody, just up from 168). After drilling to 400 feet, the driller came up dry.
2015 – At the Annual Shareholders meeting, the Board reported that the money not used for the water system upgrade would be used for future capital costs, including the drilling of a new well. The Shareholders indicated support. With Shaver being in its fourth year of drought, the Board contracted with a seismic hydrologist to hopefully identify a source of water. The hydrologist did testing in October and found potential sites.
2016 - The Board considered several alternative sites for the drilling of a new well, including land outside the water district. The top two options were as close to Musick Meadow as possible, and the creek bed near lots 78/79. The Board approved the negotiation with the land owner and the drilling of a new well in the Spring of 2016.
2017 – In the Fall of 2017, a successful well was drilled on lot 63. Water was found at approximately 68 feet and 138 feet. The driller went down to 300 feet. A test of the well resulted in 15 gpm. The pump was placed at approximately 250 feet. Later that year, the state Water Board inspected the water district and required the district to install cross-connection valves on all commercial properties.
2018 – In the Winter/Spring of 2018 the new well was connected to the existing system. In order to provide some protection for future droughts, the Board approved the purchase and installation of cloud based meters for all cabins and the wells. The meters would be able to be read online and allowed the cabin owners and watermaster to quickly identify leaks and lot owners who had excessive usage because of leaks in their system. The Board was also concerned that the Sawmill was re-opening as a Mexican Restaurant to be called Osito’s. Because of the potential water usage a restaurant can generate, the Board approved a tiered rate structure based on water use for commercial properties.
2019 –In April/May a cloud based meter system was installed and went online in June 2019. The Board contracted to have a firm who used divers to inspect the interior of the tank. The firm reported that the tank had a small amount of rust, but otherwise was in good condition. Also during the year the Board approved a capital replacement plan. The purpose of the plan was to begin raising the funds necessary for the future cost of replacing the district's major capital assets (water tank, new wells, etc). The plan would be funded by a seperate assessment to all shareholders of $120 per year. The assessment would be phased in over the next four years. During the year, Fresno County officially informed us that the agreement for emergency access to District 41 water had expired and the connection was turned off.
Prepared by: Eve Sproule in 2011 based on Board minutes and updated by Doug Broten in 2019