News Release Archive

Record of Decision Signed on the Fish Passage Improvement Project at Red Bluff Diversion Dam

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, (916) 978-5100, plucero@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: July 16, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation today signed the Record of Decision for the Fish Passage Improvement Project at the Red Bluff Diversion Dam (RBDD).  The Selected Alternative is to operate the dam with raised gates for a longer annual period and to construct a new pumping facility, including a positive barrier fish screen to avoid entrainment of fish from the Sacramento River.  This would allow for the continued diversion of irrigation water into the Tehama-Colusa and Corning Canals during the periods when gravity water diversion into the canals would not be possible because the dam gates are raised.   

Reclamation and the Tehama Colusa Canal Authority analyzed alternative methods to improve adult and juvenile anadromous fish passage at the RBDD pursuant to the 1992 Central Valley Project Improvement Act, while also providing for the continued diversion of irrigation water consistent with the Central Valley Project Sacramento Canals Unit authorizing legislation.

Reclamation supports measures to reduce the potential impacts of the Selected Alternative on local recreation and economic interests, such as providing a short "gates-in" period to accommodate the Memorial Day boat races.  Any such measures will be subject to review by fishery agencies, including consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act related to long-term operation of the CVP, as appropriate. 

Prior to the completion of the RBDD in the mid-1960s, anadromous fish had unimpeded passage to and from the ocean at the dam site.  Since construction, the dam creates a barrier across the Sacramento River when its gates are lowered to raise the water level behind the dam, forming Lake Red Bluff and allowing for gravity water diversion for irrigation.  Although the dam features fish ladders intended to allow fish passage, the ladders delay and impede the fish spawning migrations. 

The Record of Decision is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=237.  For more information, please call Mr. Don Reck at 530-275-1554 or e-mail dreck@mp.usbr.gov.

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