News Release Archive

Reclamation seeks comments on B.F. Sisk Dam raise and reservoir expansion project

Proposed reservoir expansion would provide additional storage south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Media Contact: Mary Lee Knecht, , mknecht@usbr.gov

For Release: May 14, 2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation seeks public input on the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project, a proposed project that would raise the height of B.F. Sisk Dam by 10 feet to create an additional 120,000 acre-feet of storage in San Luis Reservoir.

Reclamation and San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority are partnering to investigate whether adding an additional 10 feet to the crest of B.F. Sisk Dam while implementing Safety of Dam modifications would provide added water supply benefits to the Central Valley Project. The  additional space would be used to store water that could be delivered to south-of-Delta water contractors. This water would be used to meet existing contractual demands and not serve any new demands.

San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority is preparing a feasibility report and an environmental impact report pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act in conjunction with Reclamation’s preparation of environmental documents pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.

A Notice of Intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement for the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project was published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2020.  Reclamation, the lead federal agency, is seeking comments by June 15, 2020.

A copy of the NOI may be found online at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=44425. Scoping comments may be submitted to Casey Arthur, Project Manager, Bureau of Reclamation, Willows Construction Office, 1140 W. Wood Street Willows, CA, 95988, via telephone at 530-892-6202 (TTY 1-800-877-8339), or via email at carthur@usbr.gov by June 15, 2020.

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