Overview & Purpose - The Canyon Tunnel Project is a major $84 million regional water infrastructure initiative carried out by the South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) in partnership with the Oakdale Irrigation District (OID). It entails the construction of a 12,000-foot (roughly 2.3 miles) underground bypass to reroute water past a geologically unstable section of the century-old Joint Supply Canal (JSC) — a key water channel running below steep canyon walls prone to landslides and rockfalls Why It Matters - A significant landslide in 2013 nearly derailed early-season water deliveries through the JSC, highlighting the vulnerability of the aging canal The Canyon Tunnel aims to safeguard the water supply for thousands of acres of farmland and several cities indefinitely. Geography & Design - The tunnel will slice beneath the Sierra foothills and an ancient buried riverbed, offering a low-maintenance, highly resilient route for water flow. Engineered with a flat floor and approximately 16–20 feet in diameter, it ensures reliable access for maintenance and is designed to withstand natural hazards Funding & Collaboration - Funding is shared between SSJID and OID, split 72% to 28% based on historical usage of the Joint Supply Canal This equitable partnership reflects joint commitment to long-term water reliability across their service areas.

Timeline & Contracting - July 1, 2025: SSJID awarded the construction contract to Drill Tech Drilling & Shoring, Inc. August 4, 2025: Ceremonial ground breaking took place near Goodwin Dam Construction is scheduled to run through spring 2028, with multi-shift operations (including 10-hour shifts Monday–Saturday), extensive concrete deliveries, and careful logistics planning to Local Benefits & Impact SSJID serves over 50,000 acres and supplies water to cities like Manteca, Lathrop, Escalon, and Tracy, while OID covers 26,000 acres and serves Knights Ferry The tunnel ensures continuous water delivery—even through floods or geologic events—bolstering regional agricultural productivity and municipal resilience. SSJID Board President Glenn Spyksma affirmed, “We’re building a future where water keeps flowing no matter what nature throws our way,” while OID President Tom Orvis emphasized its role in empowering "confidence, safety, and strength" for the next 100 years For further information  please visit https://canyontunnelproject.org/ .33/25.