News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Final Schedule for Releases into Trinity River as Part of Restoration Program

Media Contact: Margaret Gidding, 916-978-5100, mgidding@usbr.gov

For Release: April 18, 2014

REDDING, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that releases from Lewiston Dam into the Trinity River will increase to a peak flow of 1,500 cubic feet per second over a two-day period as part of the Trinity River Restoration Program.

Releases will begin increasing April 23 and remain at the peak of 1,500 cfs for a period of 36 days, extending from April 24 to May 29. Release rates will then be reduced to 1,200 cfs during June 3-5 and to 700 cfs during June 15-18. The summer base-flow rate of 450 cfs will begin on June 26. The total water allocation for Trinity River restoration flows in a “critically dry” water year, such as this, is 369,000 acre-feet.

The public should take appropriate safety precautions whenever near or on the river. Landowners are advised to clear personal items and debris from the floodplain prior to the releases.

The December 2000, Trinity River Mainstem Fishery Restoration Record of Decision created a plan for the restoration of the Trinity River and its fish and wildlife populations. The Program’s restoration strategy includes four different restoration elements, one of which includes increased releases to the river, separate and apart from Central Valley Project water allocations. Flow regimes link two essential purposes deemed necessary to restore and maintain the Trinity River’s fishery resources: 1) flows to provide physical fish habitat (i.e., appropriate depths and velocities, and suitable temperature regimes for anadromous salmonids), and 2) flows to restore the riverine processes that create and maintain the structural integrity and spatial complexity of the fish habitats. More information on the Trinity River ROD can be found at www.trrp.net/background/rod/.

A daily schedule of flow releases is available at http://www.trrp.net/restore/flows/current/, and the public may subscribe to automated notifications (via phone or email) of Trinity River release changes. The flow release schedule is posted at the Trinity River Restoration Program office, located at 1313 South Main Street, Weaverville, CA.

For additional information, please call 530-623-1800 or email info@trrp.net.

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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.