Guy West Bridge Outfall
The Guy West Bridge is a landmark structure in Sacramento. Stormwater from the east side of campus is discharged to the American River at the foot of the bridge.
Stormwater Discharge
Stormwater runoff captured from the eastern side of campus is pumped through the levee and into the river without any treatment. Walk onto the bridge until you reach the first tower, look down on the right side to see the six discharge pipes sticking out of the ground. The concrete pavement below the pipes prevents erosion when runoff is being discharged. The pump station is located in the yellow building behind you. Here's a short video of the discharge in action.
Protecting the River
The photo above shows why the university wants to clean up its stormwater. The bottle on the left is a sample of river water collected just upstream of the Guy West Bridge during a rainstorm. The bottle on the right contains stormwater runoff and pollutants from the campus. (Typical city runoff looks similar.)
The goal of water quality regulation is to protect the many beneficial uses of water bodies. Look around to see some common beneficial uses, including:
- Municipal water supply –– Look upstream to see the water intake tower for the City’s Fairbairn Water Treatment Plant.
- Recreation –– Look around to see people swimming, boating, and fishing in the American River.
- Fish habitat, migration, and spawning –– Look into the water to see salmon swimming upstream (at certain times of the year) on their way to the Nimbus Hatchery.
Guy West Bridge
The Guy West Bridge is named after the first president of Sacramento State. Dr. West headed the university for 18 years, from 1947 to 1965. During that time, the university grew from 253 students in rented quarters at Sacramento City College to a campus of 10,000 students at the current site. Today the campus has about 30,000 students enrolled in seven colleges.
The bridge was designed by Ted D'Amico of the Spink Corporation, a local engineering firm, and cost $636,000. A suspension-style bridge was chosen so that the towers could be built on land rather than in the water. At 1,147 feet long, it was the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the US at the time of its opening in 1967. Its general design and color, International Orange, are intended to be reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge.
From the bank
Guy West Bridge before the new paint job.
On the bridge
A pedestrian's view on the bridge.
Stormwater Discharge
Stormwater runoff captured from the eastern side of campus is pumped through the levee and into the river without any treatment. Walk onto the bridge until you reach the first tower, look down on the right side to see the six discharge pipes sticking out of the ground. The concrete pavement below the pipes prevents erosion when runoff is being discharged. The pump station is located in the yellow building behind you. Here's a short video of the discharge in action.
Protecting the River
The photo above shows why the university wants to clean up its stormwater. The bottle on the left is a sample of river water collected just upstream of the Guy West Bridge during a rainstorm. The bottle on the right contains stormwater runoff and pollutants from the campus. (Typical city runoff looks similar.)
The goal of water quality regulation is to protect the many beneficial uses of water bodies. Look around to see some common beneficial uses, including:
- Municipal water supply –– Look upstream to see the water intake tower for the City’s Fairbairn Water Treatment Plant.
- Recreation –– Look around to see people swimming, boating, and fishing in the American River.
- Fish habitat, migration, and spawning –– Look into the water to see salmon swimming upstream (at certain times of the year) on their way to the Nimbus Hatchery.
Guy West Bridge
The Guy West Bridge is named after the first president of Sacramento State. Dr. West headed the university for 18 years, from 1947 to 1965. During that time, the university grew from 253 students in rented quarters at Sacramento City College to a campus of 10,000 students at the current site. Today the campus has about 30,000 students enrolled in seven colleges.
The bridge was designed by Ted D'Amico of the Spink Corporation, a local engineering firm, and cost $636,000. A suspension-style bridge was chosen so that the towers could be built on land rather than in the water. At 1,147 feet long, it was the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the US at the time of its opening in 1967. Its general design and color, International Orange, are intended to be reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge.
From the bank
Guy West Bridge before the new paint job.
On the bridge
A pedestrian's view on the bridge.