MOU Signing for Temperance Flat Investigation

Written by: Sarah McBride

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding for the Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation feasibility study by Reclamation and the San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority on July 1, 2016On July 1, the Bureau of Reclamation and the San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation feasibility study evaluating what is commonly referred to as Temperance Flat. The infrastructure authority members include at least five counties and several cities, underserved communities and water districts, as well as federally recognized Tribes. Over 40 local, state and federal representatives, as well as media attended the signing.

The new partnership formed by the signing of this MOU will allow communities and organizations throughout the San Joaquin Valley to participate in completing the studies of the proposed Temperance Flat Dam and Reservoir. The signing was the next step in the planning process for the new dam and reservoir, and will help develop the necessary information to apply for the State of California’s Proposition 1 funding for water storage projects. The MOU enables Reclamation to provide technical assistance to the Authority in its goal to submit a proposal to the California Water Commission. Certainly, this project cannot be materialized without the support of local partners, and the MOU represents that partnership between the federal government and the community.

The primary objectives of the Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation is to increase water supply reliability and system operational flexibility for agricultural, municipal and industrial, and environmental uses, and to enhance temperature and flow conditions in the San Joaquin River downstream from Friant Dam for salmon and other native fish. If authorized by Congress and jointly funded, the proposed Temperance Flat Dam and Reservoir would be a part of the Federal Central Valley Project. It would create 1,260,000 acre-feet of new water storage, 2 ½ times the capacity of the current storage capacity of Millerton Lake. The project would allow us to capture more of the high flows and improve groundwater management in the San Joaquin Valley.

Published on July 15, 2016