Tisdale Weir and Bypass Fact Sheet - Water Education Foundation

Tisdale Weir and Bypass Fact Sheet
Project Limits:
Characteristics:
The Tisdale Weir and Bypass is located at Sacramento River Mile
119 in Sutter County, about 6.3 miles downstream from the
community of Grimes.
The Tisdale Bypass is a key element in the Sacramento River
Flood Control Project, providing a connection between the
Sacramento River and the Sutter Bypass. From Tisdale Weir to
Sutter Bypass, the bypass is approximately 4.5 miles in length and
500 feet in width.
Built in 1932, the Tisdale Weir is a concrete structure 1150 feet
long with a fixed-crest elevation of 45.5 feet. The north and south
levee are turf-covered earthen structures, each 4.5 miles long
varying in height from approximately 16 feet at the weir to
approximately 21 feet at the transition to Sutter Bypass.
Function:
Protection:
Maintenance:
Under flood conditions, Sacramento River flow spills over Tisdale
Weir when the river’s stage reaches 45.5 feet. The Sacramento
River is designed to contain 66,000 CFS above the weir and only
30,000 below, thereby diverting over half of the flood waters into
the bypass system at this location.
The Tisdale Bypass provides flood protection to the Sutter and
Colusa Basins including the towns of Knights Landing, Meridian,
and Robbins; Reclamation Districts 108, 1660, and 1500; and
portions of State Highways 45 and 113.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the
weir and bypass in accordance with California Water Code Section
8361. Annual maintenance includes removal of debris; mowing,
discing, or burning of vegetation; rodent control; tree trimming; and
minor erosion repair. Significant maintenance activities to maintain
capacity have been performed by DWR including major erosion
repairs and sediment removal. Notable sediment removal projects
were performed in:
• 1984 – 244,000 cubic yards (cy)
• 1985 – 211,000 cy
• 1986 – 1,301,000 cy
• 1987 – 270,000 cy
• 2007 – 1,713,000 cy

Aerial photos taken during 2007
sediment removal before
Garmire Bridge was replaced

Garmire Bridge Fact Sheet
Project Location:
Length:
Piers/Bents:
Bridge Type:
Foundation:
Purpose:
The old Garmire Road Bridge, built in 1935 and aligned directly
over the Tisdale Weir, was demolished in 2008. The new Garmire
Road Bridge is located immediately east of the original Garmire
Road Bridge.
1,250 feet
Nine bents with 143 foot spacing
Pre-stressed box girder construction
Deep pipe pile footings
The original Garmire Road Bridge was in service for 73 years. The
30 rows of foundation bents were spaced 39 feet apart. During
periods of high water, trapped debris would reduce the flow over
the weir and create hazardous conditions for the structure and the
maintenance crews clearing the debris.
The new bridge has bents spaced 140 apart, allowing debris to
pass unobstructed.
Funding Source:
Funding for this project is provided through a cost-share agreement
by the Federal Government (FHWA via Caltrans), State of
California (DWR General Fund), and the County of Sutter.
DWR maintenance crew clearing
debris from old bridge

DWR maintenance clearing debris
from old bridge
Old Garmire Road Bridge being
demolished (2008)