San Joaquin River Restoration Program to release pulse flow for salmon Starting this evening, the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (Program) will release a scheduled pulse flow on the San Joaquin River. Friant Dam releases will increase to 1150 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) for one day, then decrease to 850 cfs from April 28 to May 5. […]
Recent Stories
Program releases 200,000 spring-run Chinook salmon to river
Last week, Program field crews released approximately 150,000 juvenile spring-run Chinook salmon to the river, bringing the season total to almost 200,000 juveniles. These fish will outmigrate to the Pacific Ocean before returning to the river in two to three years as adults to spawn. Below is a video of the release.
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 […]
Science & Engineering Meeting Posters Available On-Line
Our 2023 Science & Engineering Posters are now available on-line here! May 2 & 3, 2023 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust 11605 Old Friant RoadFresno, CA 93730 FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Meeting topics to include: Key projects Basin hydrology and Restoration Flows Fish passage and screening […]
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 […]
2019/2020 Annual Report now available!
The Program’s 2019/2020 Annual Report is now available here!
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 […]