Efforts over the years to modernize irrigation water delivery and reduce water waste has put the South San Joaquin Irrigation District in a position to assist south of the Delta farmers as well as allow for more robust fish flows on the Stanislaus River.

The SSJID along with Oakdale Irrigation District are negotiating to pursue the release of water for diversion and use by the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority as well as the California Department of Water Resources.

If a deal is reach, the districts will commit to 50,000 acre feet in a normal water year and up to 20,000 acre feet in critical dry years for release during the April-to-May pulse flow for Chinook salmon.

The SSJID expects to make full allocation deliveries to its agricultural and urban customers even with making the water release/transfer.

The SSJD board, which is considering a notice of exemption filing for environmental studies connected with the transfer when they meet Tuesday, historically has used revenue from water transfers to fund rehabilitation projects aimed at water conversation.

As such, that translates into less money that SSJID ratepayers have to pay for such projects.

One pricey endeavor such revenues could go toward is the Canyon Tunnel water reliability project below Goodwin Dam. It has a $94 million price tag.

The deal, if it is reached, could be in place for at least five years with the possibility of a five year extension.

Similar transfers were made in 2009, 2013, and 2016.

The releases would coincide with existing Bureau of Reclamation obligations to provide spring pulse flows for the benefit to out-migrating salmon from the Stanislaus River into the Delta.

 The water is then ultimately exported from the Delta by the State Water Project and Central Valley Project for beneficial use by their respective contractors.

The water proposal provides numerous human and environmental benefits including:

*Fisheries Benefits. These releases are coordinated with fishery agency representatives from California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service, and used to shape the Stanislaus River spring pulse flows and enhance the spring out-migration of fall-run Chinook salmon.

*Water Quality. The releases assist in meeting spring pulse flow and water quality objectives in the lower San Joaquin River.

* Water Supply. After meeting flow and water quality requirements for the benefit of fish, the released water volumes are made available to South-of-Delta water agencies, providing additional water supplies to other areas of the State.

*Modernization, Conservation, and Reliability: The revenues garnered from this program allow the Districts to construct conservation and modernization irrigation projects, which promote continued stewardship and sustainability of available water resources in Stanislaus River watershed.  

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com

 Efforts over the years to modernize irrigation water delivery and reduce water waste has put the South San Joaquin Irrigation District in a position to assist south of the Delta farmers as well as allow for more robust fish flows on the Stanislaus River.

The SSJID along with Oakdale Irrigation District are negotiating to pursue the release of water for diversion and use by the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority as well as the California Department of Water Resources.

If a deal is reach, the districts will commit to 50,000 acre feet in a normal water year and up to 20,000 acre feet in critical dry years for release during the April-to-May pulse flow for Chinook salmon.

The SSJID expects to make full allocation deliveries to its agricultural and urban customers even with making the water release/transfer.

The SSJD board, which is considering a notice of exemption filing for environmental studies connected with the transfer when they meet Tuesday, historically has used revenue from water transfers to fund rehabilitation projects aimed at water conversation.

As such, that translates into less money that SSJID ratepayers have to pay for such projects.

One pricey endeavor such revenues could go toward is the Canyon Tunnel water reliability project below Goodwin Dam. It has a $94 million price tag.

The deal, if it is reached, could be in place for at least five years with the possibility of a five year extension.

Similar transfers were made in 2009, 2013, and 2016.

The releases would coincide with existing Bureau of Reclamation obligations to provide spring pulse flows for the benefit to out-migrating salmon from the Stanislaus River into the Delta.

 The water is then ultimately exported from the Delta by the State Water Project and Central Valley Project for beneficial use by their respective contractors.

The water proposal provides numerous human and environmental benefits including:

*Fisheries Benefits. These releases are coordinated with fishery agency representatives from California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service, and used to shape the Stanislaus River spring pulse flows and enhance the spring out-migration of fall-run Chinook salmon.

*Water Quality. The releases assist in meeting spring pulse flow and water quality objectives in the lower San Joaquin River.

* Water Supply. After meeting flow and water quality requirements for the benefit of fish, the released water volumes are made available to South-of-Delta water agencies, providing additional water supplies to other areas of the State.

*Modernization, Conservation, and Reliability: The revenues garnered from this program allow the Districts to construct conservation and modernization irrigation projects, which promote continued stewardship and sustainability of available water resources in Stanislaus River watershed.  

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com