Reclamation increases release from Friant Dam, Water Authority says its too much

Last week, the Bureau of Reclamation began releasing water from Friant Dam near Fresno into the San Joaquin River meet contractual obligations to deliver Central Valley Project water to the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. The release was increased from 680 cubic-feet-per-second to 930 cfs. The sustained release will continue throughout the summer and will increase up to more than 1,700 cfs.

San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors on the Valley’s westside have senior rights and primarily receive their water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta through the Delta-Mendota Canal. But widespread drought conditions in California and limited water supply availability from the Delta, means the releases from Friant Dam are being done to meet the contractual obligations.

The Friant Water Authority released a statement in response stating while the release is obligated, the situation “will be staggering for both humans and the ecosystem.”

The statement went on to say, “This summer, it’s likely that dozens of small and rural or disadvantaged communities on the valley’s eastside will require emergency water supplies as their wells go dry when the aquifers they rely on are not recharged with Friant water. The releases will also eliminate the cold-water pool behind Friant Dam, completely decimating the river’s newly burgeoning Spring run salmon population when it returns this fall to spawn in 70-degree water.”