Lake Oswego Interceptor Sewer Inspection
The City is performing a routine underwater inspection of the Lake Oswego Interceptor Sewer continuing through Winter 2021/22. This work will help make sure the buoyant sewer pipeline that lies across Oswego Lake continues to serve the community reliably.
The City will be using barges to deploy divers and robotic cameras to inspect each segment of the pipeline. Boaters are asked to respect the 200-foot no-wake safety zone where work is occurring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lake Oswego Interceptor Sewer?
The Lake Oswego Interceptor Sewer is a 42-inch buoyant pipeline that lies across Oswego Lake. The pipeline was built in 2011 to replace the City’s aging in-water sewers and provide service for central and western portions of Lake Oswego.
Why is the inspection needed? Why now?
The City is performing a planned ten-year inspection of the pipeline – the first since the pipeline was constructed. This checkup will help the City identify any repairs or maintenance needed to keep the pipeline in good condition.
How long will the inspection take?
The inspection project will begin after Labor Day weekend and is planned to be completed in Winter 2021/22. The City scheduled the work when the least disruption to lake activities will occur.
What’s involved in the inspection?
The City has a team of underwater divers along with robotic cameras and sonar equipment to thoroughly assess each segment of the pipeline interior and exterior, and the wave action tethers and anchors that keep the buoyant pipeline in place.
What will I notice?
You may notice barges on the lake and equipment where divers are inspecting the sewer pipeline to identify repair or maintenance needs. Work hours will be Monday through Friday between 7am and 6pm. Occasional noise from generators and other equipment may be heard from the barges during work hours.
Where is the inspection work happening?
Diving and other inspection activities will be happening continuously throughout the lake. The main work area will be near the barges, which will deploy from the Lake Oswego Corporation marina. Once in the water, the barges are expected to follow the path of the sewer pipeline moving generally west to east as workers complete inspection of each pipeline segment.
How can I stay up to date?
The project webpage will be updated regularly with information about where barge inspection activities are occurring. We’re working closely with Lake Oswego Corporation to keep mariners and lake-shore residents informed. We’ll also share periodic progress updates through the City’s social media channels and e-newsletter.
What will the City do with the inspection results?
The City will use the findings from the inspection work to make good data-driven decisions about any upgrades, repairs, or ongoing maintenance activities needed to make sure the sewer pipeline continues to serve our community reliably.
Spring 2022 Update
The inspection is complete and no major issues were found. Crews have demobilized from the lake. Thank you for your patience!
Dec. 20, 2021-Jan. 10, 2022 Update
What’s happening:
No work is planned over the holidays. The City’s two inspection barges will be safely anchored at the west of Oswego Lake from Dec. 20, 2021 through Jan. 10, 2022. We anticipate wrapping up inspection activities on the lake in late January.
Where:
December 13, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The week of Dec. 13, 2021, our crews will be using small skiffs to inspect the nearshore manholes in Lakewood Bay. We’ll also be closing Headlee Path on the north edge of Lakewood Bay Dec. 15-16 to allow for inspection access from the shore. Our barges will be positioned at the west of Oswego Lake while we complete work in Lakewood Bay.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
December 6, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The week of December 6, 2021, the two work barges will be positioned near Allen Road at the west end of the lake to offload inspection vehicles.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
November 29, 2021 Update
The week of November 29, 2021, our two work barges will be making their way to the western end of Oswego Lake to offload vehicles at Allen Road. We’ll also have ongoing inspection work happening from dive boats throughout the lake.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
November 18, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
From November 22-24, 2021, our inspection crews will be working near the eastern end of Oswego Lake. No work is planned November 25-26.
When: Mon-Wed 7am-6pm
Where:
November 15, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
Steady progress continues. The week of November 15, 2021, watch for our two work barges near the eastern end of the lake. We’ll also have dive crews working throughout the lake.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
November 8, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
Our inspection crews are making great progress and work is on schedule. The week of November 8, 2021, we will once again have dive crews working throughout the lake. Please watch for the dive boat and red ‘diver down’ flag. We will also have two work barges near the eastern end of the lake. Please respect the no-wake rules for safety near work areas.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
October 29, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The week of November 1, 2021, dive teams will continue underwater pipeline inspection work throughout Oswego Lake. There will also be two work barges positioned near the center of the lake to continue inspection of the pipeline interior. Please respect the no-wake rules for safety near work areas.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
October 25, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
Beginning October 25, 2021, the City will have divers performing underwater visual inspections of the near-shore accessways throughout Oswego Lake. This work will continue for about four weeks. Please keep an eye out for the dive boat and red diver down flag (see below) and respect the no-wake rules for safety. The City will also have two work barges positioned near the center of the lake to continue camera inspections of the interior of the buoyant sewer pipeline.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
October 18, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The City’s inspection crews are making good progress and continuing to work their way east following the path of the buoyant sewer pipeline.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
October 11, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The week of Oct. 11th, the City is continuing inspection work from barges positioned at the west end of Oswego Lake. The crews will be working their way east as they complete inspection of each segment of the buoyant sewer pipeline.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
October 4, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The week of Oct. 4th, the City will have barges and dive crews working at the western end of Oswego Lake to inspect the buoyant sewer pipeline.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
September 23, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The week of Sept. 27th, the City will have barges staged at the western end of Oswego Lake to begin inspection of the first segment of buoyant sewer pipeline.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
September 16, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The week of Sept. 20th, the City will be loading equipment onto barges on Oswego Lake from Allen Road to prepare for the inspection work.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
September 9, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The week of Sept. 13th, the City will finish moving barges into the water using the Lake Oswego Corporation marina. Ramp time at the marina will be limited during this time.
Once in the water, the barges will move to the western end of the lake where equipment will be loaded from Allen Road before inspection of the first segment of sewer pipeline begins.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
August 25, 2021 Update
What’s happening:
The week of Sept. 7th, the City will be moving barges into the water using the Lake Oswego Corporation marina. Ramp time at the marina will be limited for about three days.
Once in the water, the barges will move to the western end of the lake where equipment will be loaded from Allen Road before inspection of the first segment of sewer pipeline begins.
When: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm
Where:
Lake Oswego Interceptor Sewer (LOIS) Project
