The Bay-Delta Effort and Phase 4 Instream Flow Criteria

The Bay-Delta Effort and Phase 4 Instream Flow

CriteriaSierra Water Workgroup Summit

Daniel SchultzState Water Resources Control Board

Division of Water RightsJune 12, 2014

State Water Board’s Mission

To preserve, enhance and restorethe quality of California’s water resources,

and ensure their proper allocation and efficient use

for the benefit of present and future generations

Recent History2010: State Water Board submittal to Legislature –

Instream Flow Studies for the Protection of Public Trust Resources: A Prioritized Schedule and Estimate of Costs Included 138 rivers and streams (28 Delta tributaries)Determined which rivers and streams should be

prioritized for instream flow studies

2010: State Water Board completed report: Development of Flow Criteria for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Ecosystem

Phase 1 Project Area

Phases 2 and 4 Project Area:

Bay-Delta Processes Timeline

June 2014

June 2015

Phase 2: Comprehensive Update of Bay-Delta Plan

Phase 3: Plan Implementation

Phase 4: Delta Tributary Flow Work (through 2018 and beyond)

Phase 1: San Joaquin River Flow & South Delta Water Quality

6

June 2016

1. Non-binding flow criteria -Ensure species viability and

geomorphic processes2. Flow objectives and implementation plans

-Includes balancing of beneficial uses3. Policies for water quality control

-Tributary-specific4. Implementation of policies

-Water rights terms and conditions-Other measures as appropriate

Phase 4 Process

Phase 4 ObjectivesAchieve characteristics of a natural hydrograph

Inter-annual variability Intra-annual events

Restore natural fluvial processes Inundate floodplainsFlush finesMaintain channel habitat

Restore natural high flow recession ratesPrevent juvenile salmonid strandingPromote riparian seed dispersalTrigger natural species reproduction patterns

Phase 4 ObjectivesRestore self-sustaining resilient populations of

anadromous salmonids and other native species

Preserve existing beneficial uses of water to the maximum extent possible

Minimize impacts to water right holders

Phase 4 Next Steps (con’t)Develop Strategy for Establishing Flows

for Tributaries to the Bay-Delta (Phase 4 Strategy); Anticipate Strategy will contain:Goals and objectives of Phase 4 effortOverview of processFlow criteria methodology Priority Tributaries

Timeframe: Draft Strategy anticipated for release for public comment in Fall 2014

Bay-Delta/Phase 4 ResourcesBay-Delta Program Webpage:

http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/bay_delta/

Phase 4 Webpage: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/waterrights/water_issues/programs/bay_delta/flow_objectives/index.shtml

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