To prevent an active landslide from threatening an existing powerhouse and the South Fork of American River emergency landslide repairs were required in a remote location with limited access in the middle of winter. Scope of work included stabilizing the access road, moving dirt on a 1:1 slope, installing wire mesh fabric to stabilize the hillside, and placing of shot crete v-gutters to direct runoff down the hillside. Environmental concerns required mitigation to preserve the pristine environment of the American River located 50' from the bottom of the slope.

The only access to the site is a single lane dirt road winding through the canyon to the powerhouse below. Before equipment and material could be hauled to the site several "blow-out" areas of road were required to be stabilized with steel plates and timbers. This work was done by equipment and employees suspended directly above drop-offs of several hundred feet.

With a slope that equipment could not safely be operated on, a D6 dozer was "yo-yoed" up and down the slope to move the dirt. Before excavation of the steep slope could be started, anchors were drilled in rock at the top of the slope to attach the dozer to that was then winched up and down the slope.

With such remote access materials such as wire mesh were delivered and placed directly from a helicopter that required precise planning and coordination. Working on such steep slopes all employees were required to be tied-off at all times.

To minimize environmental impacts to the American River, SWPPP plans required Syblon Reid to be able to pump water away from the bottom of the slope 24 hours a day seven days a week. The water wash pumped into water trucks for disposal off site. Prior to weather events the slope was covered with plastic sheeting to minimize runoff of recently disturbed soils.

This difficult and dangerous project was completed on time and with zero injuries and is a clear example of the difficult projects Syblon Reid is recognized for.