News Release Archive

Reclamation to Open the Delta Cross Channel Gates Today

Media Contact: Shane Hunt, 916-978-5100, shunt@usbr.gov

For Release: December 04, 2015

WALNUT GROVE, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation will open the Delta Cross Channel Gates today, Friday, Dec. 4, at approximately 3 p.m. The opening is needed for salinity management in the Bay-Delta. The gates will remain open until further notice. Please be advised that the decision to open or close the gates can be made on short notice based on requirements.

The Delta Cross Channel Gates control the diversion channel near Walnut Grove about 30 miles south of Sacramento. When the gates are open, fresh water is drawn from the Sacramento River into the interior of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta through Snodgrass Slough and the Mokelumne River. The open gates also allow boat traffic to pass. When closed, the gates prevent juvenile salmon from being diverted from their migratory route along the Sacramento River into the interior Delta.

Boaters are advised to check the status of the gates. The opening and closing of the gates generally takes about one hour.

Information on gate operations can be accessed on Reclamation’s Central Valley Operations website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo/vungvari/dcc_chng.txt or by calling 916-979-2194 or 916-979-2683.

For additional information, please 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.