We are thrilled to announce that Twain Harte CSD has been awarded a $3.75 million grant through the State Water Resources Control Board’s Stormwater Grant Program to construct the Twain Harte Community Stormwater Enhancement Project (Project). This amazing win for our community will enhance water quality in our creek and lake, rehabilitate our failing storm drain system, improve water supply reliability, reduce erosion, create fire safe landscapes and provide fun, interactive education that will empower residents to do the same on their properties.  

The Project is a collaborative effort between Twain Harte CSD, Tuolumne County, Twain Harte School, Tuolumne Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Authority and Tuolumne County Resources Conservation District. By working together to incorporate simple, innovative stormwater improvements throughout the community, the Project turns Twain Harte’s stormwater into a resource. When coupled with powerful outdoor education labs in Twain Harte Meadows Park, the Project makes our community a model and learning center for other communities.

The Project includes improvements through four main subprojects:

County Storm Drain Rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation of deteriorated storm drain from the shopping center to the park, eliminating the risk of dangerous sink holes, improving water quality and reducing sedimentation in the creek.
• New sidewalk and gutters along the east side of Joaquin Gully through downtown to provide better storm water flows and pedestrian access.

Twain Harte School Stormwater Capture

• A large tank to capture and clean stormwater from the storm drain, providing water for their field, reducing the need for treated water supply and reducing creek flows in storms.
• Several smaller tanks to capture rain water off building roofs to be used for landscaping, reducing the need for treated water supply.

Twain Harte CSD Office Stormwater Enhancements

• Removal of paved parking area and installation of a larger permeable parking area to support parking for the fire facility, reducing existing flooding issues.
• Bioswales to slow storm water and filter/clean it before it flows downtown and into the creek.
• Rain tanks to capture rain water off building roofs to water landscaping and keep area hydrated and more fire safe.

Twain Harte Meadows Park

• Constructs more than half of the Twain Harte Meadows Park – everything except large outdoor pavilion, bathrooms and parking lot.
• Recreation and educational demonstration site for a variety of stormwater re-use techniques, including hands-on outdoor learning labs in Meadows Park.

The simple, innovative stormwater improvements that make up these four main subprojects will create a lasting impression and provide benefits for the Twain Harte community as a whole. The grant agreement will be finalized in the fall and we can't wait to share more updates as the project gets underway.