February 3, 2014

Mid-Pacific Region

Central Valley Project

Water Plan 2014 

U.S. Department of the Interior

Bureau of Reclamation

Mid-Pacific Region

Table of Contents

CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................... 5

Drought Update................................................................................................................................... 6

NEAR-TERM ACTIONS 2014.................................................................................................................. 7

Operational Flexibility Within the Existing Biological Opinion.............................................................. 7

Old and Middle River Index ............................................................................................................................7

Estimation Method Based on New Range of Years for the Adult Delta Smelt Incidental Take Statement......7

New and Refined Turbidity Models.................................................................................................................8

San Joaquin River (SJR) Inflow to Export (I:E) Ratio .....................................................................................8

Operational Flexibility.......................................................................................................................... 8

Flexibility Agreement.......................................................................................................................................8

Water Transfers................................................................................................................................... 9

Streamline Water Transfer Approval Process.................................................................................................9

Use of Warren Act Contracts to Facilitate Water Supplies..............................................................................9

Refuges and Fisheries ...................................................................................................................... 10

San Joaquin River Restoration Program Flows – Recapture and Recirculation Plan ..................................10

Lower Klamath River Fall Flows for Fall-run Chinook Salmon .....................................................................11

Refuge Water Supply ..................................................................................................................................11

Golden Gate Salmon Association (GGSA) Projects .....................................................................................12

Coordination...................................................................................................................................... 13

Coordination and Forecasting.......................................................................................................................13

Improve Hatchery Operational Coordination with North of Delta Diverters ..................................................13

Folsom Intake Protection..............................................................................................................................13

Relief from Water Quality Objectives............................................................................................................13

Water Acquisitions............................................................................................................................. 14

Acquire Non-CVP Water for CVP Purposes .................................................................................................14

Component 1 (C1) Water..............................................................................................................................15

Response to Drought ........................................................................................................................ 15

Public Health and Safety ..............................................................................................................................15

Rescheduling Water in San Luis Reservoir ..................................................................................................15

San Joaquin River Restoration Program - Ceasing Restoration Flows Early...............................................15

Additional Short-Term Mitigating Measures..................................................................................................16

North of Delta Water Management ..............................................................................................................16

MEDIUM-TERM ACTIONS (BEYOND WATER YEAR 2014)................................................................ 17

Refuges and Fisheries ...................................................................................................................... 17

Refuge Water Supply....................................................................................................................................17

Coordination...................................................................................................................................... 18

Rice Straw Decomposition............................................................................................................................18

Operational Flexibility with the Existing Biological Opinions ............................................................. 18

Population Dynamics Modeling to Revise Adult Delta Smelt Incidental Take Statement .............................18

Salmonid Genetic Testing.............................................................................................................................18

Water Transfers................................................................................................................................. 19

Long-Term Water Transfer Process..............................................................................................................19

San Joaquin River I:E Experiment................................................................................................................19

Water Year 2014, Estimated Benefit for Near-Term Action Categories ............................................. 12

List of Tables

Introduction

CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14 5

INTRODUCTION

Low reservoir storages at the start of Water 

Year 2014, and the potential for continued dry 

hydrologic conditions into the coming water 

year, coupled with significant protective actions 

for threatened fish populations and the need 

to maintain adequate water quality standards 

under state law, could present serious water 

supply challenges for many parts of California. 

The January-May period in 2013 was the driest 

January-May period on record for the Central 

Valley; conditions remain dry with the October 

2013 inflow to Shasta Lake near the lowest for 

any month on record; and the National Weather 

Service’s Season Drought Project indicates 

persistent drought conditions for the Central 

Valley and Sierra Nevada for the next 90 days. For 

these reasons, it is imperative that Reclamation, 

our customers, and our stakeholders be prepared to 

face these challenges. The aim of the Draft 2014 

Water Plan is to minimize the negative impacts to 

affected Central Valley Project (CVP) customers 

and stakeholders associated with a possible dry 

2014 water year. The draft Plan is the product of 

Reclamation’s ongoing assessment of the water 

supply situation and the cumulative input from the 

2013/2014 water year meetings with customers 

and stakeholders.

The 2013/2014 water year meetings were 

conducted over a several week period in June 

2013, and continued into early September 2013 

to discuss current CVP water operations and 

ongoing water supply challenges. Customers and 

stakeholders provided items for Reclamation’s 

consideration and we provided regular updates 

throughout the summer. The result was a list of 

suggested actions from agriculture, Municipal 

and Industrial (M&I), tribal, fisheries, other 

environmental, power and refuge interests. We 

were clear that this list was reflective of actions 

that Reclamation would consider for inclusion in 

the Plan; it was not a commitment to carry any 

particular action. 

This Plan is Reclamation’s attempt to identify 

actions based on those items suggested by our 

customers and stakeholders, deemed to provide the 

greatest potential to address adverse water supply 

impacts in 2014 while maintaining environmental 

commitments, based on: 

• Resources available to carry out the action,

• The schedule necessary to achieve 

anticipated benefits, and

• The likelihood to achieve the expected 

benefits

We have developed a list of proposed actions, 

and associated timelines, that we anticipate can 

be implemented during the 2014 water year, 

absent changed conditions, unforeseen barriers 

or unanticipated circumstances, and we call these 

near-term. We will continue to assess and update 

the timeline for these projects as we define the 

scope and permit needs of each project. This 

leaves a broad array of actions that, due to limited 

resources, environmental and permitting prerequisites, or other implementing difficulties, 

preclude implementation in the 2014 water year. 

Many of these items are included in the Medium 

Term Actions section of this document (see 

page 17).

The Plan focuses on actions that are achievable, 

that provide operational flexibility, and that are 

value added to CVP operations as a whole. The 

actual benefits realized through these actions 

will be highly dependent on actual hydrologic 

conditions throughout the State this coming water 

year. As conditions change, Reclamation will 

continuously be reevaluating our planned actions 

and will adjust accordingly.

Many of the actions on the list fall into the 

category of operational flexibility as it relates 

to the existing biological opinions (BOs). The 

term “operational flexibility” can be defined as 

the ability to manage existing water supplies 
6 CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14

Introduction

efficiently and effectively, consistent with the 

project authorizations and objectives, while 

adapting to changes in regulatory, physical, and 

hydrologic conditions. Improved operational 

flexibility can result in, the most efficient system 

operation, increased water yield and increased 

ability to meet project needs under a range of 

potential conditions. 

As operational flexibility relates to the incidental 

take levels and reasonable and prudent alternative 

actions in the current BOs for both the Delta 

smelt and salmonid species, Reclamation is 

working to coordinate and collaborate with 

the Federal resource agencies, as well as the 

California Departments of Fish and Wildlife 

(DFW) and Water Resources (DWR), to develop 

processes and data to identify and take advantage 

of any opportunities to improve operational 

flexibility within the BOs. Opportunities include 

improvements to the current processes that are 

used by the following interagency groups that 

play a role in managing real-time operations: the 

Smelt Working Group, the Delta Operations for 

Salmonids and Sturgeon, and the Water Operations 

Management Team. The ultimate goal is to 

maximize operational flexibility, while not causing 

jeopardy or modification of critical habitat to 

Federally-listed species. 

Due to other regulatory requirements outside 

of the BOs that can constrain Delta operations 

at times throughout year, the range of possible 

hydrological conditions and without knowing 

the timing and distribution of sensitive fish 

populations that will occur in the winter and 

spring, Reclamation cannot predict the actual 

water yield benefits of improving operational 

flexibility within the specific requirements of the 

BOs. In addition, other constraints, including 

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) 

requirements for water quality, salinity, and/or 

Delta outflow, can be important factors that govern 

Delta and upstream operations. As conditions 

dictate, Reclamation will collaborate with other 

Federal and State agencies, including the SWRCB 

to gain concurrence on a path forward that makes 

the best use of limited water resources. 

Drought Update

Following two years of dry conditions, on Jan. 17, 

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. proclaimed 

a Drought State of Emergency. Subsequently, 

the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, 

and Commerce jointly announced their roles in 

helping California prepare for and lessen drought 

impacts through the National Drought Resilience 

Partnership (NDRP). Current severe dry 

conditions are considered the worst in 160 years of 

record keeping, even surpassing the previous driest 

years of 1976-1977 when California population 

was 22 million; today the population is 38 million. 

In response to the drought, additional actions are 

underway. 

The Plan has been updated to outline additional 

measures we are taking to respond to the drought. 

In coordination with the State, Reclamation is 

making it a priority to operate the CVP to first 

meet public health and safety needs as well as 

legal requirements while ensuring the best possible 

use of limited water supplies, and focusing on 

conservation actions, and offering support and 

flexibility to customers in managing the drought. 

The Response to Drought section outlines several 

actions that were initiated since the draft Plan was 

released in November 2013. There is a tremendous 

amount of work that has to happen in the weeks 

and months ahead, and it is going to take the 

focus and support of many to address the difficult 

conditions, and continue to make the best possible, 

most balanced decision on the key issues facing 

the CVP.
CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14 7

Near-Term Actions 2014

NEAR-TERM ACTIONS 2014

Operational Flexibility Within the 

Existing Biological Opinion

Old and Middle River Index

Develop and implement a pilot project to test 

using an index rather than tidally-filtered United 

States Geological Survey (USGS) gauge data at 

OMR to determine OMR negative flow.

Develop and implement a pilot project to test 

using an index rather than tidally filtered United 

States Geological Survey (USGS) gauge data at 

OMR to determine OMR negative flow. 

The initial proposal was reviewed by the fishery 

agencies and comments were provided to 

Reclamation. Reclamation is developing a scope 

of work (SOW) for work needed to respond to the 

comments. The SOW will be implemented by the 

Federal water contractors and include gathering 

data and preparing a report documenting why the 

proposal does not adversely affect the species 

and is in compliance with the existing BOs. 

Reclamation plans to provide the report to the 

fisheries agencies around February 14, 2014. The 

timeframe for the fisheries agencies review will 

be determined based on the relevancy of the OMR 

ratio in mid-February. The pilot project could be 

implemented in 2014 if appropriate hydrologic 

conditions exist. 

During the pilot project implementation 

Reclamation and DWR will operate to the OMR 

objective using an index based on San Joaquin 

River flow. Operations would return to use of 

the tidally-filtered OMR values if the difference 

between the tidally-filtered values and index 

values exceed a certain limit. This limit will be 

determined in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine 

Fisheries Service (NMFS) as the plan is finalized.

Parties Involved

Reclamation, USFWS, NMFS, DWR, State 

and Federal contractors and environmental 

stakeholders. 

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

There is some potential to realize a water 

benefit during the winter while the experiment 

is implemented. However, current hydrologic 

conditions in 2014 do not require OMR 

restrictions. 

Benefits

From an operational standpoint, this action could 

result in a more predictable response to changing 

conditions in the Delta. 

Estimation Method Based on New 

Range of Years for the Adult Delta Smelt 

Incidental Take Statement

Develop a new cumulative salvage index 

calculation for determining cumulative expanded 

salvage, using years in addition to the existing 

2006-2008 range.

The current incidental take statement (ITS) 

calculates the incidental take limit (ITL) based 

on the cumulative expanded salvage (CES) 

from 2006-2008. The State and Federal water 

contractors (SFWC) are preparing a new 

calculation utilizing a number of different years 

to calculate the CES. SFWC and Reclamation 

are working closely to develop a comprehensive 

proposal to submit to USFWS. If approved this 

calculation will be used in 2015.

Parties Involved

Reclamation, USFWS, State and Federal water 

contractors, and environmental stakeholders.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

The SFWC provided a proposal for review by 

Reclamation and the USFWS. Over the next few 

months Reclamation, SFWC and the resources 

agencies will be working on the new calculation. 

Reclamation is committed to working with SWFC 

and USFWS to develop the new calculation for 

use in 2015.
8 CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14

Near-Term Actions 2014

Benefits

The use of multiple years in calculating the CES 

will provide a more comprehensive approach to 

calculating the CES. This will provide greater 

operational flexibility. 

New and Refined Turbidity Models

For predicting Delta smelt salvage, continue to 

refine and improve existing models to predict 

turbidity conditions that lead to entrainment 

events, and determine the magnitude of the 

conditions that create a “turbidity” bridge for 

the Delta smelt’s movement between the central 

Delta and the export pumps. The existing model 

will continue to be improved and if a turbidity 

event occurs, the model will be used to predict the 

possibility of a turbidity bridge developing. 

In addition to the model, in order to better track 

smelt movement, monitoring efforts are being 

planned for 2014. Information for these additional 

samplings will help track Smelt movements 

in Suisun Marsh and the central Delta, inform 

pumping decisions and provide data for use in the 

turbidity model.

Parties Involved

USFWS is working closely with Metropolitan 

Water District (MWD) and DWR as well 

as Reclamation and other environmental 

stakeholders. 

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Benefits will be the greatest during the smelt 

migration period. Smelt migration is generally 

triggered by flow and turbidity events that occur 

between December and June. The model is ready 

and will be applied as the opportunity arises in 

2014. 

Benefits

If operations can be modified to avoid a turbidity 

bridge within the central and south Delta, the adult 

smelt would more likely move up the Sacramento 

River rather than moving into the central and south 

Delta. Smelt that are located in the Sacramento 

River are at a lower risk of entrainment then those 

in the central and south Delta. This reduces the 

risk that exports would be curtailed due to smelt 

presence. Under current hydrologic conditions the 

use of the modelling tool may not be needed this 

year.

San Joaquin River (SJR) Inflow to Export 

(I:E) Ratio

Determine 2014 San Joaquin River I:E ratio in 

February in advance of the May 1 DWR runoff 

forecast for San Joaquin Valley.

Typically the I:E ratio would be determined using 

the May 1 DWR runoff forecast. The May forcast 

determines the San Joaquin Valley year type 

classification which determines the I:E ratio. This 

early San Joaquin River I:E ratio determination 

will be based on the DWR January runoff forecast, 

consideration of NOAA weather forecasts, and 

expert opinion. 

Parties Involved

NMFS, FWS, Reclamation, DWR.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Based on DWR’s January forecast and the current 

hydrologic conditions, Reclamation is forecasting 

a critically-dry water year type classification. As 

such Reclamation expects that the I:E ratio for 

water year 2014 to be set at 1:1 for benefits to 

occur February - May 2014

Benefits 

Under the current hydrologic conditions an 

early determination of the I:E ratio will provide 

additional operational flexibility. It provides some 

certainty that exports could equal inflow from the 

San Joaquin River.

Operational Flexibility

Flexibility Agreement

Reclamation and the San Joaquin River Exchange 

Contractors (Exchange Contractors) entered into 

a Flexibility Agreement to improve San Luis 

Reservoir and Delta operations while allowing 

greater flexibility in the Exchange Contractors’ 

contract-specified monthly delivery quantities. 

The exchange contractors use alternative sources 

of water supply (groundwater and other conserved 

water) early in the year to delay use of CVP 

surface water supplies from the Delta and San Luis 

Reservoir. That water can then be used to meet 

demands of other CVP contractors. 

Parties Involved 

San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors and 

Reclamation.
CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14 9

Near-Term Actions 2014

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Annual benefits obtained during the early and peak 

irrigation season for both the San Joaquin River 

Exchange Contractors and CVP south-of-Delta 

water contractors.

Benefits

Potentially provides up to 10,000 acre-feet for 

delivery to CVP water service contractors on 

the west side of the San Joaquin Valley during 

early and peak irrigation. It is not an increase in 

supply, but a demand shift providing flexibility in 

deliveries. 

Water Transfers

Streamline Water Transfer Approval 

Process

Further streamline Reclamation’s process for final 

approval of water transfers process by providing 

an e-Brochure package and tracking tool.

The e-Brochure outlines the process and 

considerations that each Reclamation office 

typically uses for final processing of approved 

transfer proposals once it is determined 

that a transfer action can be accommodated 

operationally. The e-Brochure is sectionalized 

by office and each section includes a number of 

elements such as points of contact, timelines, and 

a progress monitoring system. The e-Brochure is 

being constructed with on-line capability so that 

information and status can be viewed 24 hours 

a day. Reclamation is available to meet with 

customers regarding any specific proposal, issue, 

or suggested improvement to the water transfer 

approval process.

Reclamation currently has a number of 

programmatic transfer programs for which 

we have National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA) coverage and provide an accelerated 

process for handling transfers analyzed. These 

accelerated water transfer programs cover within 

basin transfers and programs such as the 25-year 

transfer program with the San Joaquin Exchange 

Contractors. We have also approved banking 

arrangements with some districts on a multi-year 

basis which involve water transfers/exchanges 

with local water banks. Reclamation anticipates 

completing the environmental document for a 10-

year North to South Transfer Program in time for 

the summer of 2015 and is currently contemplating 

a North to North programmatic document to cover 

transfers between North of Delta Water Service 

Contractors and Sacramento River Settlement 

Contractors having non-project base supplies 

which are typically available for transfer and are 

not covered under existing accelerated programs. 

A 1-year North to South Water Transfer Program is 

being developed for the 2014 water year. 

Reclamation will also continue to coordinate with 

the State and cooperate with our contractors to 

support improvements to transfer programs that 

require DWR involvement and/or approval by the 

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). 

Parties Involved

Reclamation, DWR, San Luis & Delta-Mendota 

Water Authority (SLDMWA), SWRCB, and 

various water transfer buyers and sellers, on a 

year-round basis.

Reclamation will engage State agencies, CVP 

contractors and State Water Project (SWP)

contractors to identify bottlenecks to transfers, 

improve processing, and eliminate duplication of 

effort.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

The water year 2014 transfer window for north 

to south is July-September 2014, and will apply 

to the 1-year program. The transfer window for 

north to north and east to west is year-round since 

these transfers do not involve Delta pumping to 

accomplish.

Benefits

This action would not generate additional CVP 

water supply, but would provide for a voluntary 

redistribution of CVP supplies and non-CVP 

available supplies. As in 2013, south of Delta 

CVP water service contractors could receive 

over 150,000 acre-feet of additional water due to 

transfers from other sources. On a case-by-case 

basis some transfers and or conveyance of CVP 

and/or non-CVP supplies may improve operational 

flexibility.

Use of Warren Act Contracts to Facilitate 

Water Supplies

Investigate use of CVP storage and/or conveyance 

to facilitate approved water transfers by working 
10 CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14

Near-Term Actions 2014

directly with transferring partners to consider 

whether such a request could be met without 

harming other CVP purposes or operations. Please 

see #10 for additional information on the topic of 

water transfer approvals.

Parties Involved

Depends on the transferring parties; generally a 

non-CVP source to a CVP contractor. 

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Benefits would likely be provided during the Delta 

transfer pumping window July-September 2014 

however, this depends on the availability of CVP 

facilities and the nature and timing of a proposed 

water transfer action.

Benefits

Dependent on number, quantity, timing, and 

location of the various transfers. Supply quantities 

for valid transfers could come at the expense of 

non-CVP water user supplies. Transfer amount 

will be dependent on the number, quantity, timing, 

and location of the various actions, and could 

range from 0 to 20,000 acre-feet. If coordinated 

and timed correctly, transfer flows could provide 

some flexibility and support for in-stream flows, 

cold-water pool, and/or reservoir storage.

Refuges and Fisheries

San Joaquin River Restoration Program 

Flows – Recapture and Recirculation Plan

Reclamation will continue to maximize 

opportunities to recapture and recirculate flows 

released for the San Joaquin River Restoration 

Program (Restoration Program), which includes 

completion of the Recapture and Recirculation 

Plan (R&R Plan). The R&R Plan will address 

recapture of the Restoration Flows in the Delta, 

which is not fully addressed in the 2011 R&R 

Plan. 

The R&R Plan will describe the conditions under 

which Interim and Restoration flows (Restoration 

flows) would be recaptured, at the Mendota Pool, 

lower San Joaquin River diversions, and CVP 

and SWP Delta facilities. In addition, the R&R 

Plan will describe the conditions under which 

recaptured Restoration Flows (Recirculation 

Water) are recirculated to the Friant Division longterm contractors (Friant Contractors) by direct 

delivery, exchanges, transfers, or sales to other 

south of Delta contractors and the refuges.

Parties Involved

Reclamation is to complete the R&R Plan, 

undertake recapture actions, and assist in 

recirculation actions. The parties to the Settlement 

(Friant Contractors and NRDC) and Westside 

contractors are to participate in the preparation of 

the R&R Plan. 

Recapture and recirculation of Restoration flows is 

ongoing based on 2011 R&R Plan. Recirculation 

Water is generally allocated weekly to the Friant 

Contractors, on a pro-rata share, in San Luis 

Reservoir. Reclamation and the Friant Contractors 

work collaboratively to maximize the return of 

Recirculation Water to the Friant Contract Service 

area. Recirculation Water that is impractical to 

return is managed for exchange, transfer, or sale at 

the discretion of each Friant Contractor.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Reclamation has been recapturing and 

recirculating flows since 2010. Reclamation 

prepared a draft R&R Plan in 2011, in 

coordination with the Friant Contractors, NRDC, 

and the Westside contractors. Reclamation has 

been operating to the draft R&R Plan and will 

continue to recapture and recirculate Restoration 

Flows consistent with the draft R&R Plan until the 

Final R&R Plan is completed.

Reclamation has been working diligently on 

drafting the R&R Plan. However, due to work on 

other drought - related activities this actim has 

been delayed. We expect to have the main body of 

the Plan completed in March and the Operations 

Agreement Appendix in May.

Benefits

The R&R Plan is a requirement of the Settlement 

and Public Law 111-11 and will describe the 

key conditions for recapture and recirculation. 

Reclamation will continue to maximize recapture 

and recirculation of Restoration Flows for Friant 

Contractors, consistent with the Settlement and 

Public Law 111-11. This includes working with 

the Friant Contractors, facility owners, and other 

potentially affected parties to recapture Restoration 

Flows at locations between the Merced River 
CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14 11

Near-Term Actions 2014

confluence and the Delta. If successful, this could 

increase the volume of recaptured Restoration 

Flows. 

Lower Klamath River Fall Flows for Fallrun Chinook Salmon

Develop a plan for the long-term protection of 

the fishery resources. Reclamation released flows 

for augmentation in the fall of 2012 and 2013, 

the impacts of which have yet to be addressed. 

In 2012, a total volume of 39,000 acre-feet 

was released and approximately 17,500 acrefeet was released in 2013. A long-term strategy 

implementable by the fall of 2014 is being 

developed in a cooperative stakeholder process. 

The most recent stakeholder meeting was held on 

December 19, 2013, and more dialogue is needed 

to finalize the strategy. 

Parties Involved

Reclamation will coordinate with tribes in the 

Trinity and Klamath River Basins, USFWS, DFW, 

NOAA Fisheries environmental stakeholders, and 

CVP and other water and power users in exploring 

alternatives, developing the augmentation regime 

and identifying impacts. Reclamation sponsored 

a well-attended workshop on December 19, 2013, 

to gather stakeholder input. After meeting several 

times, we are close to a final version of the Plan. 

We want to take approximately one more month 

to allow adequate time for final discussion prior to 

finalizing the Plan. We are close to a final version 

of the plan. We want to take approximately one 

more month to allow adequate time for final 

discussions prior to finalizing the plan

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

The benefits are derived in August of September 

during years when flow augmentation is 

determined necessary in accordance with criteria 

developed under Reclamation and USFWS 

guidance in 2012.

Benefits

Flow augmentation provided from Trinity 

Reservoir would be expected to increase flows 

and decrease water temperatures in the lower 

Klamath River while the fall-run Chinook salmon 

are migrating in the Klamath River. In turn, these 

fish should experience less physiological stress 

and vulnerability to disease. Increased volume 

and water turnover rates will allow for lower fish 

densities and help disrupt the potential spread of 

disease. There will also be a minor increase in 

coho salmon rearing habitat in the Trinity River 

during the augmentation period. The advantage 

of having a Long Term Plan in place will allow 

for broader stakeholder input and establishing 

operational responses. It will also hopefully reduce 

conflicts and lead to better overall resource.

Refuge Water Supply 

Implement activities such as shifted demand 

scheduling, reallocation of Level 2 supplies to 

other refuges, and supply flexibility options 

that are strategically prioritized, to improve 

coordinated management of refuge water supplies 

and lessen impacts to other water users.

Demand Scheduling

Reclamation is addressing demand scheduling 

through its work on the Action for Golden Gate 

Salmon Association Projects (see page 10). (On a 

regional basis, work with various water users and 

diverters to forecast water demands in an effort 

to better project and schedule reservoir releases, 

operational flexibility, and pumping and canal 

capacities.) 

Reallocation of Level 2

Article 7 of the refuge water supply contracts, 

“Transfers, Reallocations or Exchanges of 

Water”, forms the basis for this action. It states 

that, “Subject to the prior written approval of 

the Contracting Officer, the Project Water made 

available under this Contract may be transferred, 

reallocated or exchanged in that Year to other 

Refuge(s) or Project contractors if such transfer, 

reallocation or exchange is requested by the 

Contractor and is authorized by applicable Federal 

and California State laws, and then-current 

applicable guidelines or regulations.” Reclamation 

is working with the refuges to help manage refuge 

Level 2 supplies and allow reallocation of Level 

2 refuge water between and among refuges. Such 

reallocations have occurred for the past 8 years. 

Additionally, Level 2 diversification opportunities, 

which can provide mutual benefits to refuges and 

agricultural water service contractors, are being 

pursued. 

Supply Flexibility Options

Reclamation has engaged a broad group of CVP 

water contractors, refuge interests and NGO’s, in 

a Stakeholder Technical Team (STT) and a Policy 

Team to address development of strategies and 
12 CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14

Near-Term Actions 2014

actions that are needed to increase water supply 

reliability for all CVP SOD water users, including 

wildlife refuges. A project which the STT 

identified as being appropriate for action within 

the 2014 water year is:

• Groundwater Acquisition Program for 

ARRA-funded Wells

See the Medium-Term Actions section of this Plan 

for additional projects.

Parties Involved 

Reallocation of Level 2

Reclamation, USFWS, DFG, and Grassland WD.

Supply Flexibility Options

Groundwater Acquisition Program for ARRAfunded Wells: Grasslands Water District, San Luis 

Delta-Mendota Water Authority, Reclamation.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Reallocation of Level 2

Benefits to the refuges could be realized 

throughout the year. Reclamation will continue 

to allow transferring water from one refuge to 

another. Benefits will be seen in the 2014 water 

year.

Supply Flexibility Options

Groundwater Acquisition Program for ARRAfunded Wells: These wells are in place and are 

expected to be operational in WY2014 and will 

provide up to 5000 acre-feet of Level 2 water 

freeing up an equivalent amount in San Luis 

Reservoir for agricultural contractors. Another 

5,000 acre-feet would go to meet Incremental 4 

requirements.

Benefits

Reallocation of Level 2

The amount of water that can be reallocated 

varies widely from year-to-year, as do costs of 

conveyance which is dependent upon location of 

donor and receiving refuges.

Supply Flexibility Options

ARRA groundwater wells are projected to yield 

5,000 acre-feet of Level 2 water and 5,000 

acre-feet of Incremental Level 4. Level 2 water 

produced frees up an equivalent amount of surface 

water in San Luis Reservoir for agricultural 

contractors.

Golden Gate Salmon Association (GGSA) 

Projects

Implement the following projects in water year 

2014: 

• A.1 – Delta Cross Channel Electrical 

Barrier: Exploration and, if reasonable, 

installation of an experimental temporary 

low voltage graduated electrical barrier near 

Dead Horse Island to deter Mokelumne 

River fall-run Chinook salmon from 

straying into the Sacramento river through 

the Delta Cross Channel;

• B.1 – Sacramento River Gravel 

Augmentation: creation of spawning and 

rearing habitat on the Upper Sacramento 

River for juvenile Chinook salmon and 

steelhead;

• B.9 – Sacramento River Flows – 

coordination of fish and river releases and 

diversions to improve the migration on 

juvenile Chinook salmon;

• B.10 – Painter’s Riffle – repairs of an 

engineered side channel near Redding to 

provide spawning habitat for Chinook 

salmon and steelhead.

Parties Involved

Parties are involved as part of the project team 

in the development of the plans and review of 

documents. Participants include the: DFW, DWR, 

East Bay Municipal Utility District, NMFS, 

Reclamation District 108, SWRCB, Reclamation, 

and USFWS. 

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Benefits would begin with implementation of 

the projects in 2014 and we would expect to see 

increased returns of Chinook salmon and steelhead 

in 2 to 3 years following successful completion of 

their lifecycle.

Benefits

• A.1 – Primary benefits include Mokelumne 

River natural and hatchery production 

and the maintenance of Sacramento Basin 

salmon genetics. Secondary benefits include 

potential water quality improvements in 

the South Delta and a reduced need for 

operation of the Delta Cross Channel Gates. 
CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14 13

Near-Term Actions 2014

• B.1 – Primary benefits include increased 

spawning and rearing habitat to address 

factors limiting the natural production 

of adult anadromous fish in the Upper 

Sacramento River. 

• B.9 – Primary benefits would include 

higher survival for Sacramento Basin fish 

as a result of improved water temperatures, 

expanded habitat, and reduced predation. 

The project may identify potential water 

supply benefits as well. 

• B.10 – Primary benefits are increased 

spawning and rearing habitat in the Upper 

Sacramento River. 

Coordination

Coordination and Forecasting

On a regional basis, intensify coordination of 

operations with the various river diverters, water 

districts, hatchery operators and the other system 

operators listed below to best forecast operations 

and water demands in an effort to improve 

operational flexibility and delivery efficiency.

Parties Involved

Sacramento River Settlement Contractors, 

San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors, 

City of Sacramento, DWR, other non-CVP 

reservoir operators, and various sets of CVP 

contractors – Tehama Colusa Canal Authority 

(TCCA), SLDMWA, American River Contractors, 

Friant Water Users, Refuge Managers, and 

environmental stakeholders. 

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Initially in water year 2014, then a continuous and 

ongoing effort.

Benefits

This action would result in little to no increase to 

net supply but will increase operational efficiency.

Improve Hatchery Operational 

Coordination with North of Delta Diverters

Develop and implement a plan for better 

coordination of hatchery fish releases to coincide 

with adequate natural flows or other operational 

releases, which would reduce the need for specific 

release of stored water as a separate effort for the 

hatcheries.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Benefits would occur concurrent with the 

action and would result in improved number of 

adult salmon in 2 to 3 years as a result of more 

successful migration.

Benefits

Benefits include improved numbers of adult 

salmon and a more efficient water operation. 

Folsom Intake Protection

Should dry conditions persist over the winter, meet 

with American River stakeholders to discussion 

options for meeting minimal river flows for 

fisheries and downstream diversion while ensuring 

the Folsom M&I intake remains operational, and if 

needed install a temporary pump system.

The authorities and cost-share obligations were 

identified in January, 2014. A scope of work 

is under development for the temporary pump 

system, to prepare to initiate the procurement 

process. We will continue to monitoring the 

forecast and plan to possibly implement this action 

later in the water year.

Parties Involved

Reclamation, San Juan Water District, Cities of 

Roseville and Folsom.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Likely time frame for alternative pumping to 

provide benefits would be Sep – Nov 2014

Relief from Water Quality Objectives

Promptly identify opportunities to collaborate 

to propose, review and approve temporary 

amendments to water quality objectives or 

to move compliance points in order to avoid 

disproportionate impacts through continued 

Reclamation forecasting and prompt inter and 

intra agency coordination and communication. 

Reclamation will effectively coordinate with 

DWR, the State Water Project (SWP) and CVP 

contractors, the State and Federal fishery agencies, 

and the SWRCB, at a minimum. The goal is to 

reduce disproportionately high water supply 

impact or shift a significant fishery concern or 

water supply impact to another part of the system. 

Reclamation will continue to assess hydrological 

and operational conditions and coordinate with 
14 CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14

Near-Term Actions 2014

the appropriate agencies and stakeholders. 

Coordination will occur at regular CALFED Ops 

meetings with additional meetings and briefings as 

needed.

In January 2014, Reclamation and DWR 

identified the need to file a Temporary Urgency 

Change Petition to the State Water Resources 

Control Board. Included is a proposal to relax 

the D-1641 X2 standard to avoid going to 7,100 

cfs, and to modify operations at the Delta Cross 

Channel (DCC), in order to keep the gates open 

in February. The petition was filed on January 29 

and the requested changes were approved by the 

SWRCB in an order dated January 31. The DCC 

were opened on February 1. Gate operations in 

February will be managed based on real-time 

water quality and fisheries data.

Parties Involved

Reclamation, DWR, DFW, USFWS, NMFS, 

the SWRCB, the SWP and CVP contractors, 

environmental organizations, and any other 

effected parties.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

October through May, if an opportunity presents 

itself and the SWRCB approves some change.

Benefits

Benefit to supplies will depend on the water 

quality objective modified and actual conditions. 

Modification to water quality standards usually 

result in tradeoffs among beneficial uses, but there 

may be up to tens of thousands of additional acrefeet generated.

Water Acquisitions

Acquire Non-CVP Water for CVP Purposes

Reclamation will actively pursue water 

acquisitions, exchanges and transfers to augment 

CVP water supplies for agricultural, refuge, instream and other purposes. Emphasis will be given 

to proposals designed to meet multiple purposes 

and objectives. The goal is to acquire 10 TAF.

Parties Involved

Reclamation and sellers to be determined.

Water Year 2014 

Estimated Benefit for 

Near-Term Action Categories

Action Category Estimated Benefit

Operational Flexibility within the Existing 

Biological Opinions

Up to 50,000 acre-feet

Old and Middle River Index; Estimation Method Based on 

New Range of Year for the Adult Delta Smelt Incidental 

Take Statement; and New and Refined Turbidity Models

Operational Flexibility Up to 10,000 acre-feet

Flexibility Agreement

Water Transfers Up to 170,000 acre-feet

Streamline Water Transfer Approval Process; and Use of 

Warren Act Contracts to Facilitate Water Supplies

Refuges and Fisheries Up to 5,000 acre-feet 

ARRA Funded Wells

Water Acquisitions Up to 31,000 acre-feet

Acquire Non-CVP Water for CVP Purposes, and 

Component (C1) Water

Response to Drought Up to 13,000 acre-feet

SJRRP-Ceasing Restoration Flows Early

Total Estimated Benefits Up to 279,000 acre-feet
CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14 15

Near-Term Actions 2014

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

WY 2014.

Benefits

Approximately 10,000 acre-feet of water is 

planned for acquisition, with additional quantities 

possibly available depending on the hydrology, 

degree of benefits, and pumping capability

Component 1 (C1) Water

Acquire C1 Water from Yuba County Water 

Agency (YCWA) for Project use.

Parties Involved

DWR and YCWA.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

July through September 2014.

Benefits

Under current agreement, the 60,000 acre-feet 

is split between the SWP and CVP as project 

flow/supplies. After system losses, the CVP may 

receive approximately 21,000 acre-feet. 

Response to Drought

Public Health and Safety

Reclamation is working with customers to identify 

any unmet water demand to satisfy amounts 

needed for public health and safety.

Parties Involved

All CVP contractors with an identified M&I use.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

This data will be available by February 11.

Benefits

Intent to provide M&I contractor with an amount 

of water from the CVP that satisfies the “unmet” 

water need. Unmet need is the difference between 

the amount of water available to the contractor 

from other sources and the amount necessary 

to satisfy minimum public health and safety 

requirements. In coordination with the State, 

Reclamation is making it a priority to operate the 

CVP to first meet public health and safety needs as 

well as legal requirements while ensuring the best 

possible use of limited water supplies and focusing 

on conservation actions.

Rescheduling Water in San Luis Reservoir

In December 2013, Reclamation issued 

rescheduling guidelines for the rescheduling of 

CVP water from the 2013 contract year to the 

2014 contract year with regard to the Federal share 

of storage in San Luis Reservoir. These guidelines 

established the process whereby contractors may 

request carryover of 2013 contract year water 

into 2014. These requests are subject to approval 

by Reclamation in February. Rescheduling is 

historically allowed when rescheduling will not 

interfere with Reclamation’s CVP operations. 

As of January 27, 2014, there is approximately 

250,000 acre-feet of water that could be 

rescheduled.

Parties Involved

South of Delta water service contractors.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Rescheduled water will be carried over to the 2014 

water year and available for use in that year by the 

contractor rescheduling the water.

Benefits

The rescheduled water is from South of Delta 

water service contractors. Rescheduling would 

provide some contractors with their only water 

supplies for 2014 due to the drought.

San Joaquin River Restoration Program - 

Ceasing Restoration Flows Early

Under the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, 

Restoration Flows are scheduled to continue until 

the end of February as part of the 2013/2014 

Restoration Year. As the 2014/2015 Restoration 

Year is currently projected to be a “critical dry” 

year under the Settlement in NRDC, et al., v. 

Rodgers, et al., and Restoration Flows were 

scheduled to end on February 28. The parties to 

the Settlement have agreed to ramp down and 

stop Restorations Flows starting February 1, one 

month earlier than called for in the Settlement. 

Reclamation has received a recommendation 

from the Restoration Administrator reflecting this 

change. Reclamation estimates that about 13,000 

acre-feet of “Unreleased Restoration Flows” will 

be generated by this action. These Unreleased 

Restoration Flows will be banked and then sold 

to the Friant Division long-term contractors, 

consistent with Paragraph 13(i) of the Settlement. 
16 CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14

Near-Term Actions 2014

Reclamation will also implement a juvenile 

salmon trap and transport study in connection with 

this action to test the feasibility of moving juvenile 

salmon from the upstream reaches of the San 

Joaquin River to areas where they can migrate out 

to the ocean. This study will provide information 

on the feasibility of this action for moving juvenile 

spring-run Chinook salmon in similar low-flow 

conditions in the future. 

Parties Involved

Reclamation

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

February 2014

Benefits

13,000 acre-feet of Unreleased Restoration Flows 

in the Friant Division

Additional Short-Term Mitigating Measures

Depending on hydrologic conditions it may be 

necessary for Reclamation or its customers to 

implement additional mitigating measures to 

provide water deliveries during the drought, or 

to assist in relieving contractors from drought 

impacts. Reclamation is considering paying for 

things we wouldn’t normally pay for; changing 

operations and maintenance practices or schedules; 

and delaying rate increases, installing temporary 

barriers in the Delta, increased fishery monitoring, 

temporary pumps to access water below current 

water supply intakes (Folsom Intake Protection, 

described above), blending water, facilitating 

the conveyance of non-project water, and smallscale pumping operations upstream above check 

structures.

Parties Involved

Reclamation and CVP contractors, in coordination 

with stakeholders.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

The timeline for emergency measures will 

be determined as the water year progresses. 

Additional meetings will occur to ensure 

all reasonable measures are supported and 

undertaken.

Benefits

Potential benefits will be M&I and agricultural 

access to water, as well as water supplies for the 

monitoring and protection of fish and wildlife.

North of Delta Water Management 

Proposal is to extend the water delivery period for 

the north of Delta water service contractors from 

March 1, 2014 through April 15, 2014.

Parties Involved

Potentially all north of Delta water service 

contractors, including five Federal and State 

wildlife refuges.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Benefits would be realized from the time the 

extension is announced through the end of the 

extension period. Reclamation is currently 

evaluating this proposal with plans to reach a 

decision within the next two weeks.

Benefits

Contractors with a remaining allocation must 

apply the water by February 28, 2014, which is the 

end of the contract period. Extending the delivery 

period through April 15, 2014, will allow water 

to be applied at a time when crops and wildlife 

habitat are in greater need, thereby increasing the 

beneficial use of a very limited water supply.
CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14 17

Medium-Term Actions (Beyond Water Year 2014)

is estimated to provide 15,000 acre-feet of water 

to meet refuge needs at a cost of $45 per acre-feet 

Construction costs are estimated at $6.2 million, 

but may be funded in whole or part by San Luis 

Water District in return for a portion of water 

conserved. Construction is projected to take 2 

years, so no water benefits would accrue in 2014.

Los Banos Creek Water Resource Implementation 

Plan: Los Banos Creek project could develop up 

to 15,600 acre-feet of additional water, increasing 

refuge supplies on average by 2,788 acre-feet per 

year and SOD agricultural contract supplies by 

3,612 acre-feet per year. 

Golden Gate Salmon Association (GGSA) 

Projects

Implement the following projects over the next 

couple of years: 

• B.9(b) - Sacramento River Temperature 

Facilities: investigations of structural 

improvements to Shasta Dam to increase 

cold water availability. 

• B.11 - Sacramento River Stranding: 

smoothing of releases from Keswick during 

the month of October to reduce incidences 

of redds in locations that will later desiccate 

through coordination of rice decomposition 

diversions.

Parties Involved

Parties are involved as part of the project team 

in the development of the plans and review of 

documents. Participants include the: DFW, DWR, 

East Bay Municipal, NMFS, Reclamation District 

108, SWRCB, Reclamation, and USFWS. 

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Benefits would begin with implementation of the 

projects and we would expect to see increased 

returns of Chinook salmon and steelhead in 2 to 

3 years following successful completion of their 

lifecycle.

MEDIUM-TERM ACTIONS (BEYOND WATER 

YEAR 2014)

Refuges and Fisheries

Refuge Water Supply

Supply Flexibility Options

Reclamation has engaged a broad group of CVP 

water contractors, refuge interests and NGO’s, in 

a Stakeholder Technical Team (STT) and a Policy 

Team to address development of strategies and 

actions that are needed to increase water supply 

reliability for all CVP SOD water users, including 

wildlife refuges. Project which the STT identified 

as being appropriate for action within the next 

3 years are:

• North Grasslands Water Conservation and 

Water Quality Control Project

• Los Banos Creek Water Resource 

Implementation Plan

Parties Involved

North Grasslands: Grassland Water District, San 

Luis Water District (funding) & Reclamation

Los Banos Creek Water Resource Implementation 

Plan: Exchange Contractors, Grassland Water 

District, San Luis Water District, City of Los 

Banos, and potentially others.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

North Grasslands: If funded, this project could 

start in 2014 and would take 2 years to complete. 

Water benefits are estimated at 15,000 acre-feet 

depending on allocation, but would not be realized 

until at least 2015.

Los Banos Creek Water Resource Implementation 

Plan: Features of this proposed project could be 

constructed in FY2014 and according to project 

proponents, operational in 2014. Water benefits 

would only be realized if hydrology allows water 

from Los Banos Detention Dam to be utilized. 

Benefits and Costs

North Grasslands: The North Grasslands 

Conservation and Water Quality Control Project 
18 CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14

Medium-Term Actions (Beyond Water Year 2014)

• B.9(b) – Primary benefits would include 

improved water temperatures, increased 

flexibility in reservoir management, and 

potentially improved water supply. 

• B.11 – Project fishery benefits accrue to 

fall-run Chinook salmon in years where 

conditions allow for changes to Keswick 

Dam operations (approximately 2 out of 

every 3 years on average). There may be 

some small benefits with increased storage 

in Shasta Reservoir. 

Coordination

Rice Straw Decomposition

Work with north of Delta water district and land 

managers to better coordinate river diversions 

for their rice decomposition water needs and 

alternatives methods to rice decomposition as 

a way to conserve water supplies. Reclamation 

is considering an appraisal level review of this 

concept in order to investigate its viability 

(magnitude, cost, authorities, environmental 

impacts, etc.), identify next steps and who would 

be in charge of the effort. The timeline needed to 

implement this action precludes an action in the 

immediate future. One proposal that arose during 

water year 2013 was the possibility of formulating 

a pilot program to evaluate the long-term viability 

of a rotation program to mix decomposition with 

mechanical means.

Parties Involved

North of Delta water district and land managers, 

GCID, possibly other Sacramento River 

Settlement Contractors, and the University of 

California Davis School of Agriculture and 

Environmental Sciences, and environmental 

stakeholders.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Supply benefits and potential operational 

flexibility would be immediate once the scope of a 

pilot program is formulated.

Benefits

From an operational flexibility standpoint this 

would likely result in water backed up into storage 

at Shasta. The quantity is uncertain, possibly 

10,000 acre-feet during a pilot project.

Operational Flexibility with the 

Existing Biological Opinions

Population Dynamics Modeling to 

Revise Adult Delta Smelt Incidental Take 

Statement

Develop a life cycle model that would allow 

the incidental take limit (as defined in the 

incidental take statement from the 2008 BO) to 

be determined by the use of population dynamics 

instead of entrainment at the pumps.

Parties Involved

USFWS is the lead agency developing the model. 

Reclamation and DFW will be collaborators. 

Additionally Federal and State water contractors 

and environmental stakeholders will be asked to 

participate. Efforts have been initiated and are 

expected to continue through 2015. 

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

A final peer reviewed model is planned for 

implementation in 2015 and will be used in the 

December and March timeframe.

Benefits

Improved ability to assess risk to the species, 

shifting the focus from salvage at pumps to 

entrainment effects as a fraction of the actual 

population. 

Salmonid Genetic Testing

Opportunities may exist to improve genetic testing 

of salmonids salvaged at the Tracy Fish Facility. 

Genetic evaluation is part of the Term and 

Condition 2a of the 2009 NMFS BO. Including 

genetic information in the loss equation could 

increase the accuracy in estimating annual and 

season loss estimates of different evolutionarily 

significant units of Chinook salmon.

Parties Involved (and when)

Reclamation, NMFS, Federal and State water 

contractors, and environmental stakeholders. Once 

Reclamation has an awarded contract, efforts 

can begin to collaborate with agency staff and 

interested stakeholders. 

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Expect some improvement of genetic efforts at 

facilities in 2015. 
CENTRAL VALLEY PROJECT, WATER PLAN 2014, 2-3-14 19

Medium-Term Actions (Beyond Water Year 2014)

Benefits

Could allow for less more reliable water deliveries 

to south of Delta contractors and have reliable 

protection of targeted fish species.

Water Transfers

Long-Term Water Transfer Process

Reclamation will continue preparing the long 

term Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 

that is scheduled for a draft to be released in the 

fall of 2014. Reclamation and the SLDMWA 

are preparing a joint EIS/Environmental Impact 

Report (EIR) to analyze the effects of water 

transfers from water agencies in northern 

California to water agencies south of the 

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) and in the 

San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area).

Parties Involved

Reclamation is the NEPA lead. SLDMWA is the 

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 

lead. USFWS will need to complete Section 7 

consultation in 2014. DWR is a Responsible 

Agency under CEQA.

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Transfers would occur over a ten-year period: 

2015-2025.

Benefits

Benefits will go to the participating buyer and 

seller agencies within the Long-Term Water 

Transfer program. The “up to” amount of transfer 

water that could be made available in any year 

is approximately 473,000 acre-feet. However, 

it is unlikely that this amount of water could be 

transferred in any year due to Delta regulatory and 

other constraints. 

San Joaquin River I:E Experiment

Determine appropriate experiments to evaluate fish 

movements as a result of I:E ratio requirements 

from the NMFS BO, using steelhead survival 

study results information.

Parties Involved

South Delta Salmonid Research Collaborative 

(SDSRC) working group including USFWS, 

NMFS, Reclamation, DWR, DFW as well 

as Federal and State water contractors and 

environmental stakeholders. The SDSRC 

workgroup continues to meet at least every two 

weeks to develop new treatments that can be 

initiated in the future. 

Timeline for Benefits to be Derived

Implement new treatments possibly as early as 

March 2014 to develop new information regarding 

steelhead survival and migration habits through 

the south Delta past Chipp’s Island. 

Benefits

Increased scientific information will improve 

management flexibility in the south Delta in future 

years.