News Release Archive

Reclamation Delays Decreasing Lower American River Flows for Work at Nimbus Fish Hatchery to August 13 from August 8

Media Contact: Mat Maucieri, 916-978-5100, mmaucieri@usbr.gov

For Release: August 07, 2014

GOLD RIVER, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation previously scheduled a decrease in flows in the lower American River below Nimbus Dam on Friday, Aug. 8, to prepare the Nimbus Fish Hatchery weir foundation for picket installation. This date has now been rescheduled to Wednesday, Aug. 13, in order to support other uses of the American River.

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, Reclamation will temporarily decrease flows in the lower American River below Nimbus Dam from 1,500 cubic feet per second to as low as 800 cfs for work on the fish weir foundation.

The weir structure is installed annually to guide spawning Chinook salmon into the hatchery fish ladder. Folsom Dam, Folsom Reservoir and Nimbus Dam are located about 25 miles east of Sacramento, Calif., and are features of the Central Valley Project.

Approximate working hours on Aug. 13 will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Following completion of the work, Reclamation will begin increasing flows back up to 1,500 cfs. This could happen as early as 1 p.m.; however, if additional work is required, lower flows could extend into Thursday, Aug. 14.

Please note that increasing the flows in the lower American River back up to 1,500 cfs would cause a rise of approximately 8 inches near Nimbus Dam. Recreationists on or along the lower American River are advised to exercise caution due to variable flow conditions.

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 Operations Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo. If you encounter problems accessing the information online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For additional information, please contact Louis Moore, Public Affairs Office, at 916-978-5106 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email wmoore@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.