San Joaquin River Restoration Program

State of the Rivers SymposiumSan Joaquin County

Ms. Alicia Forsythe May 2, 2011

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Settlement History

Friant Dam

Sacramento

Fresno

Merced River

San Francisco

San Joaquin

1942 - Friant Dam Completed1988 - Lawsuit filed challenging Reclamation’s renewal of the

long-term contracts with Friant Division contractors

2004 - Federal Judge rules Reclamation violated Section 5937 of the California Fish and Game Code

2005 - Settlement negotiations reinitiated to avoid remedy phase

2006 - Settlement reached, implementation begins 2009 - Federal legislation enacted; Interim Flow

releases began October 1

Settlement Goals• Restoration Goal

– To restore and maintain fish populations in “good condition” in the main stem of the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River, including naturally reproducing and self-sustaining populations of salmon and other fish.

• Water Management Goal– To reduce or avoid adverse water supply impacts

to all of the Friant Division long-term contractors that may result from the Interim Flows and Restoration Flows provided for in the Settlement.

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Study Area

• 153 miles of the San Joaquin River– Friant Dam to the Merced River Confluence

Fresno

Firebaugh

Newman

Los Banos

Major Milestones

2006 Began work on planning, design work,

and environmental reviews 2009 Began Interim Flows October 1 2011 Issued Draft Program EIS/R April 222012 Issue Final Program EIS/R and

Record of Decision2012 (late) Begin re-introduction of salmon 2013 Complete first phase of channel and

habitat improvements (some delays)2014 Initiate full Restoration Flows

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Major Channel and Structural Improvements

• Settlement requires 10 specific channel and structural improvement projects to address:– Channel capacity limitations– Fish habitat limitations– Fish passage and entrainment issues

• Combined into 4 major projects• 3 underway, 1 to start in late 2011• All targeted for completion by end of 2015

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Site-specific Projects Underway

• Mendota Pool Bypass and Reach 2B Channel Improvements Project– Draft EIS/R – mid 2012

• Reach 4B, Eastside Bypass and Mariposa Bypass Channel and Structural Improvements Project– Draft EIS/EIR - mid 2012

• Arroyo Canal Fish Screen and Sack Dam Fish Passage Project– Draft EA/IS – late 2011

Interim Flows – Increased Releases from Friant Dam

• Began October 1, 2009 • Purpose is “ . . . to collect relevant data concerning flows,

temperatures, fish needs, seepage losses, recirculation, recapture and reuse.”

• Reconnected the upper San Joaquin River with the Delta in 2010

Reach 2 in July 2009 Reach 2 in November 2009

Alicia ForsytheProgram Manager

916-978-5464aforsythe@usbr.gov

www.restoresjr.net