Program to release first ever summer pulse flow for salmon spawning 

Starting early morning, Tuesday, September 10, the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (Program) will release a scheduled pulse flow on the San Joaquin River. Friant Dam releases will increase from 450 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) to 1500 cfs for several hours, then decrease to 1000 cfs overnight and return to normal Friant Dam releases on Wednesday, September […]

2024 Channel Capacity Report Available

The Program has released its 2024 Channel Capacity Report. Then-existing channel capacities in the Restoration Area (the San Joaquin River between Friant Dam and the confluence of the Merced River) correspond to flows that would not significantly increase flood risk from Restoration Flows. Then-existing channel capacity is reported in an annual comprehensive Channel Capacity Report […]

Wet Year Brings Cautious Optimism for Fish Returns on the San Joaquin River

After one of the wettest winters on record and a season of flood operations, the Program is once again releasing Restoration Flows to the river. The 56-degree flows are currently nearing 200 cubic-feet-per-second to support holding adult spring-run Chinook salmon in the system. Those big flows meant big passage opportunities for any returning spring-run. “We […]

Program Schedules 2023 Restoration Flows

On January 19, Reclamation issued the initial allocation for the 2023 water year, providing a total 556,542 acre-feet for Restoration Flows under a Wet year type. The Restoration Administrator, an independent body stipulated by the Settlement, has provided the initial Restoration Flow schedule. This schedule is now approved by Reclamation as being consistent with the […]

Program increases Restoration Flows

Program resumes Restoration Flows to protect burgeoning Threatened salmon population The San Joaquin River Restoration Program Restoration Administrator has adjusted the schedule of Restoration Flows on the San Joaquin River. On December 16, Friant Dam will increase releases to meet a target of 415 cfs at Gravelly Ford (increasing from 365 cfs). This flow rate […]

Program updates 2022 Restoration Flow Schedule

The final Restoration Allocation and Default Flow Schedule was made on May 13. This allocation was based on a forecasted unimpaired inflow into Millerton Lake (Friant Dam) of 1,072,000 acre-feet. This is a “Normal-Dry” water year type for the period October 2021 to September 2022. The Restoration Allocation totals 232,470 acre-feet. Due to dry hydrologic […]

Program receives prestigious Environmental Achievement Award

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The San Joaquin River Restoration Program, a multi-agency effort to restore the upper 152-miles of the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the confluence with the Merced River, recently received the Department of the Interior’s highest honor for environmental restoration. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya […]