Staff will take steps to open the valve as soon as water conditions warrant. District staff has designed and implemented a simple operating procedure, which will not require expensive, on-site equipment to cycle the valve. The air hoses that operate the valve now terminate in a small, sturdy, concrete box on the north bank. When water conditions are acceptable, a portable compressed air tank will be carried to the site and used to open or close the operating cylinder of the valve. Since staff has been able to reach Antioch Cave by foot two days after the record flood of October 1998 and has been able to access the site within one day after more normal flood events, this simple procedure will ensure that the District will be able to take advantage of any suitable opportunity for recharge.
Staff maintains an ongoing site clean up and improvement program.
The Antioch Cave access road north of the creek remains in a state of good repair, which should suffice in all but the most adverse weather conditions. An access easement road on the south creek bank is in need of some repair, but since it is not currently being used, it is a lower priority. District staff performed an annual inspection of the entire facility, including the valve, operating cylinder, air hoses, vent lines, and fittings and everything was found to be in good shape and completely functional. PVC vent lines are being systematically embedded in concrete for additional security. A small concrete box has been built to provide a termination and access point for the air hoses for the valve-operating cylinder.