Credit: CDFW

July 29, 2017 - FRESNO, Calif. – As part of its effort to restore a self-sustaining Chinook salmon population within the San Joaquin River while minimizing impacts to water contractors, the San Joaquin River Restoration Program resumed its Restoration Flows to the river July 21.

Since January 4 of this year, Friant Dam releases have been managed for flood control. This precluded the program’s Restoration Flows, which include releases from Friant Dam for downstream riparian interests. With the change, water users should be aware that diversions of Restoration Flows are not allowed unless authorized by the Bureau of Reclamation, as these flows are dedicated for preservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources pursuant to Water Code section 1707 and are protected under the California Water Code.

Reclamation regularly evaluates releases at Friant Dam to achieve the program’s flow target at Gravelly Ford. Restoration Flows will be limited such that no flooding or seepage impacts are expected to occur. Reclamation will reduce Restoration Flows as necessary to maintain compliance with the program’s seepage management plan, and it maintains a seepage hotline at 916-978-4398 (TTY 800-877-8339).

Currently, 191,575 acre-feet have been recommended as Restoration Flows, with the balance of 364,967 acre-feet as Unreleased Restoration Flows which were sold to Friant long-term contractors. A copy of the allocation and default flow schedule is available at http://www.restoresjr.net/wp-content/uploads/20170710_SJRRP-Restoration-Allocation-1.pdf. The change in operations to Restoration Flows is consistent with the Stipulation of Settlement, Restoration Flow Guidelines (V. 2.0, February 2017) and the Final 2017 Restoration Allocation & Default Flow Schedule issued July 10, 2017.

For additional information about the San Joaquin River Restoration program, please visit http://www.restoresjr.net or contact Josh Newcom, public affairs specialist, at 916-978-5508 or snewcom@usbr.gov.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation