Women of CalCima Tour 2026

Left to Right: Stephanie Fuller, Stephany Garcia, Margaret Reed, Judy Kelly

On April 16, 2026, members of our team had the opportunity to attend the Women of CalCIMA Tour hosted by Teichert at the Western Aggregates plant, located in the historic Yuba Gold Fields. Representing our team were GRI's President Margaret Reed, Vice President Stephanie Fuller, Safety Technician Stephany Garcia, and Materials Sales Representative Judy Kelly.

The tour provided a unique blend of industry insight and rich local history. One of the highlights was seeing the iconic Dredge No. 17. Built in 1918, this impressive piece of machinery was designed to dig 84 feet below water level and work a total face of 109 feet. It operated until 1967 before being left to deteriorate over time. Thanks to reconstruction efforts in 2006, it was brought back to life and last operated in 2013. Today, it rests in a dredger pond visible from the Western Aggregates office, a powerful reminder of the region’s mining legacy.

Attendees also learned how the site continues to evolve. Western Aggregates now utilizes a clamshell dredge along with surface mining equipment to reprocess dredger tailings. This time, transforming them into valuable aggregate materials used in modern construction projects. Seeing this full-circle use of resources highlighted both innovation and sustainability within the industry.

Another key stop on the tour was Daguerre Point Dam, located adjacent to the facility. Constructed in 1906, the dam was originally part of efforts to control sediment from hydraulic mining in the foothills. Over the years, fish ladders were added in 1938 and 1951, though with limited success. Today, an exciting new chapter is underway. Teichert Construction is preparing to build a nature-like fishway around the dam in collaboration with the Yuba Water Agency, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and National Marine Fisheries Service.

This innovative project will create a channel that mimics a natural river, allowing salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, and lamprey to safely navigate around the dam and access over 10 miles of high-quality spawning habitat along the Lower Yuba River. It’s a meaningful example of how infrastructure and environmental stewardship can work hand in hand.

To wrap up the day, attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Big Mike's, a local favorite and the perfect ending to a memorable experience.

Overall, the Women of CalCIMA Tour was an inspiring day filled with learning, connection, and appreciation for both the history and future of our industry. Experiences like this continue to highlight the important role women play in shaping construction, mining, and environmental innovation.