News Release Archive

Additional Water Available From Friant Dam

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, jmccracken@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: March 24, 2006

The Bureau of Reclamation has determined that recent rains and Millerton Lake conditions make non-storable (Section 215) water available from Friant Dam. Approximately 100,000 to 400,000 acre-feet of Section 215 water is currently expected to be available through May 2006.

Priority allocation for Section 215 water will be made available to the Friant Division long-term contractors and to other parties in accordance with Reclamation law and contractual requirements, which are subject to availability.

Rain during the past few weeks has caused Millerton Lake to rise to flood-control levels that make releases necessary, as mandated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control criteria. The actual amount of Section 215 water made available will depend on the hydrologic conditions of the Upper San Joaquin River watershed over the next few months. Section 215 refers to the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (Public Law 97-293).

For additional information, please contact Ms. Barbara Hidleburg, South-Central California Area Office, at 559-487-5063 (TDD 559-487-5933) or e-mail bhidleburg@mp.usbr.gov .

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.