News Release Archive

Reclamation Increases Flows in the American River

Media Contact: Louis Moore, 916-978-5100, wmoore@usbr.gov

For Release: April 21, 2014

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Monday, April 21, the Bureau of Reclamation will increase releases from Nimbus Dam into the lower American River from 500 cubic feet per second to 1,500 cfs for three days. On Thursday, April 24, flows will be ramped down by 250 cfs increments to reach 800 cfs by Friday morning, April 25. These flows will be maintained until further notice.

The increased flows will help juvenile steelhead and Chinook salmon migrate downstream, help with in-river conditions for young steelhead now, and provide functional rearing habitat for steelhead that stay through the summer. Additionally, the increased release of 800 cfs may assist in managing other project demands such as river temperatures, Delta requirements and downstream water supplies.

Nimbus Dam is located approximately seven miles downstream from Folsom Dam and Reservoir, features of the Central Valley Project. People recreating in or along the lower American River downstream from Nimbus Dams to the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers at the Discovery Park Recreation area near downtown Sacramento, should take appropriate safety precautions with the increased flows.

Daily information on expected flows in the American River can be found on the California Data Exchange Center website at http://cdec.water.ca.gov./queryRes.html or on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website at http://www.spk-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/release_changes.html. 

For more information on the American River, please visit Reclamation’s Central Valley Operation Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo or call the Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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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.