Starting April 5, 2019, Restoration Flows began again in the San Joaquin River Restoration Area. Friant Dam had been managed for flood control since March 15, 2019, precluding the release of Restoration Flows. However, because flood releases into the San Joaquin River are no longer necessary for reservoir management, Restoration Flows have now resumed.

Water users should be aware that diversions of Restoration Flows are not allowed unless authorized by the U.S. Bureau of  Reclamation. Restoration 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.  Restoration Flows shall not be diverted or stored unless otherwise authorized by Reclamation, subject to the conditions of Reclamation’s water rights.

This change in operations to Restoration Flows is consistent with the Stipulation of Settlement, Restoration Flow Guidelines (V. 2.0, February 2017) and the updated 2019 Restoration Allocation & Default Flow Schedule issued February 26, 2019.  The updated allocation is set at 411.122 thousand acre-feet (TAF) as measured at Gravelly Ford. This corresponds to 528.265 TAF at Friant Dam including the expected Holding Contracts below Friant Dam. This is a “Normal-Wet” Water Year Type and is based on an unimpaired inflow into Millerton of 2,362 TAF using a 40/60 blending of the DWR and NWS runoff forecasts and the 50% exceedance forecast. The schedule may be amended in response to changing river and groundwater conditions. The complete updated allocation may be reviewed here: http://www.restoresjr.net/?wpfb_dl=2279

Reclamation will regularly evaluate releases at Friant Dam to achieve the flow target at Gravelly Ford. For Information about Restoration Flows, please visit http://www.restoresjr.net/restoration-goal/restoration-flows/. 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 Seepage Management Plan. Reclamation maintains a Seepage Hotline at 916-978-4398.

To access the Restoration Administrator recommendations, please visit http://www.restoresjr.net/documentsreports/ra-recommendations/.

For additional information about the Program, please visit our website at www.restoresjr.net or contact Josh Newcom, Public Affairs Specialist, at 916-978-5508 or via e-mail at snewcom@usbr.gov.