The pipes -- with diameters as big as 42 inches -- will carry water away from Bass Lake.

Massive pipes were trucked to Bass Lake Monday as the long-awaited drainage diversion project gets underway this week. Pipes with diameters of 42 inches will be buried up to 18 feet deep to divert storm drainage and run-off from the lake.

The Country Club was required to prevent overflows of Bass Lake on the North and Lakes 10 and 11 on the South during the rainy season as part of its responsibility in the cease and desist order issued by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board in 2006. A lawsuit brought by an environmental group also targeted the spills.

The lakes hold recycled wastewater, highly treated, disinfected water that's used to irrigate the North and South golf courses.

The state permit that regulates the treatment and use of the water doesn't allow for discharges.

The work is expected to take five or six weeks.

The Pension Trust Fund for Operating Engineers, owner of the club property, is paying for the project. Country Club President Vince Lepera estimated the cost to be in the range of $1.6 million.

The major construction work is expected to take five to six weeks. There will be short-term closures of Hole 5 on the North and Hole 11 on the South during the work, Lepera said.