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River shot of the San Joaquin River

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 […]

Field crews check a fyke net in the Eastside Bypass.

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 […]

2023 SJRRP Science Meeting May 2 & 3, 2023
Flood flows at sunset on the San Joaquin River

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 […]

Spring-run Chinook salmon swimming

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 […]

Image of Friant Dam

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 […]

Assistant Secretary of the Interior Tanya Trujillo presents Program Manager Don Portz with an Environmental Achievement Award

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 […]

Restoration Flows to be reduced and halted

On April 1, Reclamation will start deliveries to the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors from Friant Dam. Normally, Exchange Contractor water supply is met from north-of-Delta water delivered through the Delta-Mendota Canal. However, because this is a “Shasta Critical” water year, Exchange Contractors are scheduled to receive 75% of their normal allocation, a total of […]