SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - As the City of San Diego continues to prepare for potential flooding from El Nino, on Tuesday, helicopters were overhead lifting huge rocks into a canyon in Bay Park.
To make sure no sewage is washed into our water when the heavy rains hit, city crews air lifted giant rocks and set them by hand around the manholes.
"With the expected rains coming, we want to protect the infrastructure from any kind of infiltration or any sewage getting into the public water ways," said Jean Fernandez with the Public Utilities Department.
Tuesday's operation was delicate because crews needed to protect the environment while also protecting the water supply.
"The environment in the canyon, we are trying to protect it. By using this low impact to the environment we are trying not to disturb it as much," said Fernandez.
The rugged terrain is right in the heart of the city. A place called Dakota Canyon in the Bay Park neighborhood. The goal of the project is to secure three sewer structures.
"Our landscape here in San Diego is really different and difficult. A lot of our utility here runs through these canyons, and it is hopefully going to be an eye opener in the future and help protect a lot of structures in the canyons," said Fernandez.
Fernandez also said a contractor was brought in to help lift the heavy material.