They are working late tonight at the State Water Board …
The State Water Board has issued another change order for the San Joaquin River flow objectives. Here is the pertinent information that changed today (full order is here: 20140418_revised_tucp_order)
“On April 18, 2014, DWR and Reclamation requested further modification of the TUCP Order to allow DWR and Reclamation to take advantage of additional export opportunities during the San Joaquin River pulse flow period described above. Specifically, DWR and Reclamation request that during the April and May San Joaquin River pulse flow period exports be allowed consistent with Footnote 18 of Table 3 in D-1641 which provides that maximum exports are limited to 1,500 cfs or 100 percent of San Joaquin River flows at Vernalis on a 3-day average (1:1 San Joaquin River Inflow to Export (I:E) Ratio), whichever is greater.
This request is needed because the current TUCP Order does not authorize exports greater than 1,500 cfs when Footnote 10 of Table 3 in D-1641 is not being met. Footnote 10 requires Delta Outflows of 7,100 cfs or electrical conductivity of 2.64 millimhos per centimeter on a daily or 14-day running average at the confluence of the Sacramento and the San Joaquin rivers (Collinsville station C2). DWR and Reclamation expect that they will not meet the provisions of Footnote 10 during the pulse flow period but would still like to take advantage of the additional releases of stored water to improve poor water supply conditions for their contractors.
The proposed change is included in DWR and Reclamation’s April 8, 2014 DOP. The objective of the DOP is to maximize the beneficial uses of water to the greatest extent possible within the boundaries of existing laws and regulations. As part of the DOP, DWR and Reclamation have agreed to offset the proposed export limitation flexibility above by:
a. Providing for additional flows in the San Joaquin River in a subsequent year to benefit outmigrating San Joaquin river salmonids. Specifically, Reclamation and DWR have agreed to make an amount of water equivalent to half the volume of increased exports realized over the April/May 2014 period available in a future year to provide for a larger pulse flow, for the fishery agencies to shape, in the next “dry” or better water year type for the San Joaquin River Basin. The release timing of this additional flow will be scheduled at the discretion of the fishery agencies.
b. Shifting exports to Jones Pumping Plant (CVP) to improve conditions for migrating salmonids that are impacted more by diversions at the SWP. Specifically, DWR and Reclamation have agreed to shift exports to the CVP for all of April and May up to the capacity of the CVP pumping or canal capacity with the remainder of exports to be pumped at the Banks Pumping Plant (SWP) up to the operable constraints. Slight adjustments would be allowed to maintain minimal deliveries to the SWP South Bay Aqueduct, if necessary.
The fisheries agencies concurred with the above actions in the DOP and in response to the April 18 request.
3.0 MODIFIED TUCP ORDER
This Order modifies the TUCP Order based on the April 18, 2014 request from DWR and Reclamation to allow DWR and Reclamation to export additional supplies while inflows are increased during the April and May San Joaquin River pulse flow period. Specifically, the modifications to the TUCP Order allows for exports of 100 percent of the 3-day average of San Joaquin River flows at Vernalis or 1,500 cfs, whichever is greater. These export limits are not constrained by meeting D-1641 Delta Outflow conditions, including Footnote 10 of Table 3 in D-1641.
Read the full order here: 20140418_revised_tucp_order
The April 18, 2014 request from DWR and Reclamation and other information concerning this matter are posted on the State Water Board’s website at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/drought/tucp.shtml.
In order to be fully considered, comments on the April 18, 2014 Order must be submitted by noon on Monday, April 28, 2014. Submit comments to State Water Resources Control Board, c/o Michael Buckman, P.O. Box 2000, Sacramento, CA 95812-2000 or via email at michael.buckman@waterboards.ca.gov
