The Bureau of Reclamation will increase additional water releases, called Interim Flows, from Friant Dam into the San Joaquin River on Sunday, November 1, 2009, in support of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP).  (See Reclamation Press Release MP-09-142, October 30, 2009.)  Total water releases from Friant Dam will be increased to 700 cubic feet per second from the current 350 cfs.

These experimental flows will provide valuable information to the SJRRP and will be used in designing the major improvements needed in the river and informing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, and the National Marine Fisheries Service as they craft a salmon reintroduction plan.

WHO:   Mr. Pete Lucero, Public Affairs Officer, Mid-Pacific Region, Reclamation
              Mr. Michael Jackson, Area Manager, South-Central California Area Office, Reclamation

WHAT:  Film/photograph second increase to water releases from Friant Dam for the Interim Flows in support of the SJRRP.

WHEN:  Sunday, November 1, 2009, 10 a.m.

WHERE:  Enter at Friant Dam main entrance, 18015 N. Friant Road, Friant, CA  93626. 

MEDIA:  All media are welcome.  Credentials are required. 

BE ADVISED:  Road construction on N. Friant Road may delay your arrival, so please plan accordingly.

The SJRRP is a comprehensive long-term effort to restore flows to the San Joaquin River from Friant Dam to the confluence of the Merced River and restore a self-sustaining Chinook salmon fishery in the river while reducing or avoiding adverse water supply impacts from restoration flows.

For additional information, please contact the Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5100 or mpPublicAffairs@usbr.gov.