The public is advised to take appropriate safety precautions near Clear Creek during the pulse flows
Clear Creek
REDDING, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with NOAA Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, today announced the plan for two spring pulse flow releases from Whiskeytown Dam into Clear Creek. Pulse flows are rapid increases and decreases in dam released flows, occurring over a short time frame.
The first spring pulse flow will begin on May 16. This pulse will reach a peak flow of 800 cubic feet per second on May 17 through May 18. On May 19, flows will begin to drop steadily until they return to 200 cfs on May 27.
The second spring pulse flow will begin on June 13. This pulse will reach a peak flow of 500 cfs on June 14 through June 18. On June 19, flows will begin to drop steadily until they reach 150 cfs on June 24.
These pulse flows encourage adult spring-run Chinook salmon to migrate farther upstream, where Clear Creek’s deep pools and cold water provide ideal habitat. The farther upstream the fish can migrate, the more likely they will be to successfully spawn, and the greater the likelihood that more of their offspring survive. Their successful reproduction in high-quality habitat helps advance recovery of this threatened species.
These spring pulse flows are consistent with the Bureau of Reclamation’s 2019 Proposed Action and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s and NOAA Fisheries’ Biological Opinions for the Coordinated Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project.
Water released as part of the pulse flows will remain within the Central Valley Project system and be available for use downstream by Reclamation customers, including agricultural, municipal, and industrial users in the Central Valley.
For more information, contact Derek Rupert, Bureau of Reclamation, at drupert@usbr.gov.
