Take appropriate safety precautions near Clear Creek during the May pulse flows
Clear Creek
REDDING, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation, NOAA Fisheries, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced their plan today for pulse flow releases from Whiskeytown Dam into Clear Creek in May. Pulse flows are rapid increases and decreases in dam-released flows occurring over a short time.
The release of water aims to advance recovery of threatened Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon by attracting adult salmon to move upstream to take advantage of cooler summer water temperatures and improved habitat.
Flow releases for the pulse will begin on May 7 and reach a peak of 900 cubic feet per second May 8 to 11. Flow rates will reduce to 200 cfs by May 16. Clear Creek flows will further reduce to a 150 cfs summer base flow by June 1.
During pulse flows, water levels are higher, and currents are faster. Visitors should use caution when near or on Clear Creek during the pulse flows.
This spring pulse flows are consistent with the 2019 Biological Opinions for the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project. These pulse flows are intended to encourage spring-run Chinook Salmon to migrate farther upstream to access colder water temperatures, large holding pools and newly provided spawning gravel.
Water released as part of the pulse flows will remain within the CVP system and be available for use downstream by Reclamation customers, including agricultural, municipal and industrial users in the Central Valley. The water available for Clear Creek spring pulse flows is significantly decreased during critically dry water years.
For more information, contact Derek Rupert, Bureau of Reclamation, at 530-247-8514 or drupert@usbr.gov.
