News Release Archive

Additional Water Available from Friant Dam

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, 03/28/2005 21:53

For Release: March 28, 2005

The Bureau of Reclamation has determined that due to recent rains and Millerton Lake conditions, non-storable (Section 215) water is available from Friant Dam. The approximately 100,000 - 250,000 acre feet of Section 215 water is expected to be available through May 2005.

Priority allocation for Section 215 water will be made available to the Friant Division Long-Term and Cross Valley Canal Contractors. Section 215 water will also be made available to other parties in accordance with Reclamation law and contractual requirements and subject to availability.

The rain in the past week has caused Millerton Lake to rise to the point that flood control releases are 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 hydrologic conditions on the upper San Joaquin River watershed over the next 2 months. Section 215 refers to Section 215, of 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. To get a copy of the Section 215 Water Service Contract, log onto Reclamation's website at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/sccao/215temp_contract.html.

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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.

Relevant Link:

Section 215 Contracts and Information