Interim Flows  

 Interim Flow water releases began from Friant Dam into the San Joaquin River on October 1, 2009.

Interim Flow Update:

• Interim flow releases from Friant Dam began at 350 cubic feet per second on October 1, were increased to 700 cfs on November 1, and were reduced back to 350 cfs on November 11, 2009.  Flows reached below the Sack Dam (River Mile 182).  The maps below show the lateral extent of the surface expression of the river on a daily time step.  Releases from Friant Dam were decreased from 350 cfs back to riparian demand (approximately 120 cfs) on Saturday November 21, 2009.

• Interim Fow releases resumed February 1, 2010. Releases will stay at 350 cfs throughout February.

Tracking the San Joaquin River's end:

• As of February 4, 2010
• As of November 20, 2009   Photos
• As of November 17, 2009
• As of November 6, 2009
• 2009 Water Quality Monitoring Results - January 2010
• 2009-2013 Interim Flow Release Program, Water Quality Monitoring Plan - January 8, 2010
• Latest Schedule for Interim Flow Releases - October 30, 2009
• SJRRP Interim Flows Fact Sheet - October 6, 2009
• Daily Evaluations when Interim Flows are above 475 cfs in Reaches 2A and 3
• New monitoring wells for groundwater coming on line:
  • monitoring well 54 - Reach 2B
  • PZ-R3-7 - Reach 3
  • PZ-R3-1 - Reach 3
• Additional Real-time Flow Data from the California Data Exchange Center:
  • Vernalis Flows
  • Clifton Court
  • Tracy/Jones Pumping Plant

Preliminary Groundwater Elevation and Seepage Monitoring Well Data - as of December 2009

• Overview of SJRRP Reaches
• Reach 1A, Reach 1B
• Reach 2A, Reach 2B
• Reach 3
• Reach 4A, Reach 4B1, Reach 4B2
• Reach 5

Landowners - concerned about potential seepage related to Interim Flows?

• Click on InterimFlows@restoresjr.net and send us the following information:
  • Your name, phone number, and the best time to contact you
  • Description of the potential seepage location(s)

Program staff will follow up with you to discuss further and arrange a site visit, if needed.

Environmental Assessment Quick Info

• The Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact/ Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration is now available - click on link above, September 25, 2009
• The Draft EA was available for public review through July 20, 2009 (extended from July 6).  This is a joint document that describes the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of the proposed WY 2010 Interim Flows Project.
• The Settlement identifies the releases of both Interim Flows and Restoration Flows. The Settlement stipulates the release of Interim Flows beginning October 1, 2009, and continuing until full Restoration Flows begin.
• The purpose of the Interim Flows is to allow the Implementing Agencies to collect relevant data concerning flows, temperatures, fish needs, seepages losses, recirculation, recapture and reuse of flows. 
• This EA/IS describes and evaluates potential environmental consequences of the range of flows potentially released as Interim Flows in the San Joaquin River beginning October 1, 2009, to September 30, 2010. 
• The EA/IS also describes the potential locations and mechanisms for recapturing WY 2010 Interim Flows within the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River (Restoration Area), and in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta). In addition, associated actions that may be undertaken to collect relevant data during WY 2010 are discussed.

 The full Restoration Flows start no later than January 1, 2014.

Contact the San Joaquin River Restoration Program
February 8, 2010