Reclamation News Releases

Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Document for the Arroyo Canal Fish Screen and Sack Dam Fish Passage Project

2013-05-17 16:19:00.0

DOS PALOS, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation and the Henry Miller Reclamation District No. 2131 have released the Final Environmental Assessment/Initial Study for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program’s Arroyo Canal Fish Screen and Sack Dam Fish Passage Project. A Finding of No Significant Impact is anticipated to be signed in July.

The project includes the installation of a fish screen on the Arroyo Canal to prevent entrainment of juvenile Chinook salmon in the canal and modifications to Sack Dam to allow for fish passage around the structure.

Required under a 2006 Stipulation of Settlement, the project is in Fresno and Madera counties, about seven miles southeast of Dos Palos, Calif. Sack Dam is on the San Joaquin River in the western region of the San Joaquin Valley, just north of the Arroyo Canal. The HMRD owns the facilities and operates them for the San Luis Canal Company.

The EA/IS was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act and is available at www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=9797. HMRD is the lead agency under CEQA, and Reclamation is the lead agency under NEPA. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please call 916-978-5100 or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

For more information about the project, contact Michelle Banonis, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-170, Sacramento, CA, 95825, 916-978-5457, or mbanonis@usbr.gov. For additional information or to request a copy of the Final EA/IS, please contact Margaret Gidding at 916-978-5461 (TTY 800-735-2922) or mgidding@usbr.gov.

For more information about the SJRRP, please visit www.restoresjr.net.

Reclamation Announces Beginning 2013 Irrigation Season for Rio Grande Project

2013-05-17 13:23:00.0

With the beginning of the Rio Grande Project irrigation season, the Bureau of Reclamation will initiate releases from Elephant Butte and Caballo reservoirs so water will soon be flowing down the Rio Grande in southern New Mexico and west Texas.

Releases will begin out of Elephant Butte Reservoir at 8 a.m. on Thursday May 23, 2013. The public should be aware that even though the river bed is dry between Elephant Butte and Caballo reservoirs, a large amount of water will begin flowing that day. The release will begin at 650 cubic feet per second (cfs) and will increase to 1,400 cfs the following day.

Releases will begin out of Caballo Reservoir on Saturday June 1, 2013 formally marking the beginning of the irrigation season for the Rio Grande Project. The release from Caballo will start at 500 cfs and increase to about 2000 cfs the following day. These flows will be continuous until about mid-July.

Rio Grande Project water is used to irrigate lands in the Elephant Butte Irrigation District in southern New Mexico, the El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1 in west Texas and Mexico. Project water is also used for municipal and industrial purposes by the city of El Paso, Texas.

The public should be aware that water levels within the Rio Grande channel will rise and fluctuate during the irrigation season, particularly with the initial release from each dam.

Water levels at Elephant Butte Reservoir are expected to reach historic lows this summer based on the runoff forecast. The current level is 11 percent of total storage capacity. The present allotments for irrigation on the Rio Grande Project are five percent of a full supply.

Reclamation Maintaining Reduced Storage Level at Senator Wash Reservoir During Scheduled Maintenance

2013-05-17 10:26:00.0

BOULDER CITY, NV – Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Region announced today that it will continue to maintain a reduced water level at Senator Wash Dam and Reservoir for the next several weeks to accommodate drilling of new hydraulic relief wells. The work will continue for the next eight- to ten-weeks, and will result in increased operational safety at the off-stream storage reservoir.

Eight new relief wells are currently being installed at the facility along the lower Colorado River, approximately 20 miles north of Yuma, Arizona, to reduce the potential effects of normally-occurring seepage through the dam’s foundation and embankment zones.

“Elevation level of the reservoir will be maintained approximately 8 feet lower than normal until this routine work is completed at the facility in mid- to late-June,” said Jennifer McCloskey, Reclamation’s Yuma Area Office Manager. “It’s important that everyone uses caution around the facility during the period when water levels are lower.”

Senator Wash, located along the Colorado River about two miles upstream from Imperial Dam, provides swimming, fishing, boating, skiing, and wildlife viewing opportunities to recreational users and wildlife enthusiasts visiting the Yuma area. This off-stream retention reservoir improves water scheduling of the Colorado River by storing part of the river flow upstream of Imperial Dam, and releasing it to the river for downstream use when it’s needed.

Reclamation Awards Goose Bay Marina Interim Contract

2013-05-17 08:00:00.0

BILLINGS, Mont. -- The Bureau of Reclamation has awarded an interim concession contract for operation of the Goose Bay Marina at Canyon Ferry Reservoir to Gerald and Muriel Reller of Townsend, Mont. The visitor services will be in place through September 30, 2013.

"We look forward to working with the Rellers to provide a quality experience at Goose Bay Marina, while work continues on the Goose Bay modernization planning effort," said Montana Area Manager Brent Esplin.

The interim contract requires that basic visitor services such as sale of gasoline and boat supplies, boat docking, camping facilities, concession sundries, and dump station services be provided. Additionally, boat and RV storage are authorized services.

For additional information, please contact Paula Holwegner at 406-247-7300.

Public Use of Reclamation Land in Ridges Basin Remains Closed to the Public

2013-05-15 14:45:00.0

DURANGO, Colo. - As a reminder, Since June 30, 2003, the Bureau of Reclamation has prohibited public access and activities on Reclamation land in Ridges Basin and Basin Creek below Ridges Basin Dam in La Plata County, Colo., and around Lake Nighthorse.

Public access and activities on these lands have been closed to public entry and use until a recreation management entity is identified and appropriate recreation facilities are built to provide for public safety and protect resources from damage due to uncontrolled use.

The reservoir area is posted with no trespassing signs and trespassers are subject to citation by the La Plata Sheriff's Department. Please report trespass to the La Plata County Sherriff’s Office at 970-385-2900.

Reclamation and the City of Folsom Release Environmental Document for the Lake Natoma Waterfront and Trail Access Enhancement Project

2013-05-14 14:48:00.0

FOLSOM, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation and the City of Folsom have released the Final Environmental Assessment/Initial Study for the Lake Natoma Waterfront and Trail Access Enhancement Project.

Reclamation is the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act, and the City is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act. Reclamation and the City are coordinating with the California Department of Parks and Recreation on the project. State Parks is Reclamation’s managing partner for the project area.

Reclamation proposes to authorize the City access to project lands to enhance the existing trails and environmental conditions along the shoreline of Lake Natoma within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area and adjacent to Historic Downtown Folsom. Improvements would include riparian enhancements and the installation of interpretive kiosks/signs and scenic overlooks. Another feature would be a walkway from the Lake Natoma Crossing Bridge to a scenic overlook below the bridge that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Please visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=9648 to view the Final EA/IS. If you encounter problems accessing the document, please email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov or call 916-978-5100. The document may also be viewed at Reclamation’s Central California Area Office, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, or at the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, 50 Natoma Street, Folsom.

For additional information or to request a CD of the Final EA/IS, please contact Matthew See, Reclamation, at 916-989-7198 (TTY 916-989-7285) or msee@usbr.gov.

Reclamation Announces Update to the 2013 CVP Water Allocation for Friant Division Water Service Contractors

2013-05-14 14:09:00.0

FRESNO, Calif. – After reviewing the manual snow survey data from the California Department of Water Resources that was provided the week of May 6, the Bureau of Reclamation has determined that due to persistent dry conditions an additional adjustment to the Friant Division allocation is necessary.

In consultation with the Friant Division Contractors, the Friant Division Class 1 water supply allocation is being decreased from 50 percent to 45 percent. Class 2 water remains at 0 percent. (The first 800,000 acre-feet of water supply is considered Class 1 and the next 1.4 million acre-feet is considered Class 2.). The latest information on upstream operations, canal demand schedules, and the San Joaquin River Restoration Program flow release schedule have also been incorporated into this allocation update.

Currently, precipitation in the Upper San Joaquin River watershed at Huntington Lake is about 20.4 inches, which is about 51 percent of average for this time of year. Additionally, accumulated natural river flow to date for Water Year 2013 for the Upper San Joaquin Basin is about 600,000 acre-feet, which is about 67 percent of the historical average for this date, and about 33 percent of the total water year average of 1.8 million acre-feet.

Water supply updates will be made as appropriate and will be posted on http://www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water. For additional information, please contact the Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5100 (TTY 916-978-5608) or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

New Melones Lake Activities for Summer 2013 Support the Department of the Interior’s Let’s Move Outside Initiative

2013-05-14 12:13:00.0

SONORA, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation announces summer interpretive programs and activities at New Melones Lake, located in Calaveras County. All activities are at the Amphitheater at the Glory Hole Recreation Area, are free of charge, are suitable for all ages and do not require reservations. Please wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing for weather conditions. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Wheel of Wealth!
Saturday, May 25, 7 p.m.
Come to the Amphitheater to spin the Wheel of Wealth! Will your team go home bankrupt or will you win the grand prize? Spin the wheel just right and solve word riddles to find out! Let the games begin at 7 p.m.

Flying Rainbows
Saturday, June 1, 7 p.m.
Join Park Ranger Jayme and learn about our colorful flying friends. Discover the butterfly lifecycle, their importance and how to encourage them to live in your own yard. Find out what is threatening these beautiful creatures and what you can do to help.

Skins, Scat and Skulls
Saturday, June 8, 7 p.m.
Come see a great collection of skins, scat and skulls! Feel a bear’s fur, examine real skulls and identify tracks and scat. Match up the skin, scat and skull of the creatures and win a prize! Arts and crafts begin at 7 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Dangerous Creatures
Saturday, June 15, 7 p.m.
Join Park Ranger Hilary and learn about some of the creepy creatures at New Melones Lake. Learn how to avoid being injured and what to do if you are. Develop a better understanding of these creatures and how important they are to our own survival. Fun activities begin at 7 p.m. and a PowerPoint presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Birds of New Melones Lake
Saturday, June 22, 7 p.m.
How important are birds to our existence? Discover their significance while we discuss how to identify species, flight patterns, habitats, calls and songs. Arts and crafts begin at 7 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Outdoor Safety
Saturday, June 29, 7 p.m.
What would you do if you got lost in the woods? Learn how to prepare before you go out and some hints to keep you safe in the outdoors. The presentation starts at 7 p.m.

New Melones JEOPARDY!
Saturday, July 6, 7 p.m.
Come to the Amphitheater and participate in one of America’s favorite games – JEOPARDY! For our version, we will divide into teams to test your group’s knowledge on the history and wildlife that make New Melones unique. Prizes will be awarded!

Eat a Bug Club!
Sunday, July 7, 7 p.m.
Join us for an evening discussing creepy crawlies and their role in the ecosystem. Join the club by crunching down some crispy critters! Arts and crafts begin at 7 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Water Safety
Saturday, July 13, 7 p.m.
What do you like to do around New Melones Lake? Swim, boat or fish? Join us to learn how you can be water safe. Play the Life Jacket Relay and Save the Ranger games. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones this summer at New Melones Lake. Activities will begin at 7 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Bats are Your Buddies!
Saturday, July 20, 7 p.m.
Bats can be dark and mysterious creatures that scare many people. But don’t be afraid! Join us to find out why bats are really your buddies! Arts and crafts begin at 7 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Awesome Arachnids!
Saturday, July 27, 7 p.m.
Spiders are awesome! Learn about these amazing creatures and just how important they are to our own existence! Arts and crafts begin at 7 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Eagles and Osprey
Saturday, August 3, 7 p.m.
Join Ranger Greg for an insightful look at the raptors that call New Melones their home. While recently off the endangered species list, the Bald Eagle is still fragile in our changing environment. The Osprey possesses talents no other raptor can match! Discover what makes them unique and why we should continue to protect them. Arts and crafts begin at 7 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Dragon and Damselflies
Saturday, August 10, 7 p.m.
Did you know that dragonflies existed before the dinosaurs? Learn all about these tiny dragons and their evolution. Arts and crafts begin at 7 p.m. and a presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Campground Feud!
Saturday, August 17, 7 p.m.
How well do you think you and your neighbor know New Melones Lake? “Survey says” this will be an exciting, fast-paced event on what the majority of people think about New Melones! Come to the Amphitheater to find out! Fabulous prizes will be awarded!

Whooo’s Up When You’re Asleep?
Saturday, August 24, 7 p.m.
Come to the Amphitheatre and find out who’s up when you’re not. Arts and crafts begin at 7 p.m., a PowerPoint presentation at 7:30 p.m., followed by a short hike in the great outdoors around the campground in search of some night-time creatures. Please wear sturdy shoes appropriate for hiking. A headlamp or flashlight is required.

Calaveras Community Band!
Saturday, August 31, 6 p.m.
Come celebrate the end of the summer with us! The Calaveras Community Band will be playing all your favorites until the sun goes down. Get up and dance, clap and sing or just sit back and enjoy the music. Bring the family and enjoy one last summer night! Music begins at 6 p.m.

Interpretive programs and events at New Melones Lake tie into President Barack Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative (http://americasgreatoutdoors.gov/) which seeks to empower Americans to share in the responsibility to conserve restore and provide better access to our lands and waters and leave a healthy and vibrant outdoor legacy for generations to come. Ranger-led activities also support the Department of the Interior’s Let’s Move Outside initiative (http://www.letsmove.gov/lets-move-outside) which encourages children and their families to enjoy outdoor activities that abound in every city, town and community.

If you would like to participate in a program and need accommodation, please contact Park Ranger Tracy Neal at 209-536-9094, ext. 215, or email tneal@usbr.gov at least 14 days in advance.

The New Melones Visitor Center and Museum is managed by Reclamation’s Central California Area Office. Hours of operation are daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information on activities, directions, pet restrictions or other questions, please call 209-536-9543 (TTY 800-877-8339) or visit the website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/newmelones/index.html.

Boise River Flows Set to Increase on Wednesday

2013-05-14 10:17:00.0

BOISE, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation will increase flows from Lucky Peak Dam along the Boise River tomorrow to about 1,400 cubic-feet-per-second (cfs) at the Glenwood Bridge gauging station.

The flows are well below the 7,000 cfs flood stage, and will to remain at that level through May 31.

"These are typical summertime flows along the Boise River," said Brian Sauer, Reclamation hydrologist. "There is no concern for flooding downstream, but we do advise people to exercise caution due to the swiftly moving water."

These releases also provide additional water for downstream salmon migration along the lower Snake and Columbia rivers Flows currently at the Glenwood gauge are about 800 cfs.

Reclamation to Hold Lake Berryessa Community Forum Meeting on Wednesday, May 22

2013-05-13 16:17:00.0

NAPA, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation will hold the next meeting of the Lake Berryessa Community Forum on Wednesday, May 22, at the Capell Valley Fire Station, located at the southern end of the lake. Forum meetings are designed to promote public input regarding future recreation opportunities and services at Lake Berryessa. The public is invited to attend the Forum meeting which will be held:

Wednesday, May 22
6-8 p.m.
Capell Valley Fire Station
1193 Capell Valley Road
Napa, CA 94558

At the April 24 meeting held at Elks Lodge #832 in Napa, Calif., Reclamation staff and members of the Community Forum’s Coordinating Team discussed the new names of the lake’s concession areas; plans for Camp Berryessa; impacts of sequestration; the trails management plan; the Environmental Assessment for interim services; the timeline, plan and budget for concession services from 2013 to 2017; and the current status of recreation services.

Discussion topics for the May 22 meeting will include the status of interim concession contracts, the process for moving forward with the request for proposals and long-term contracts, Reclamation’s activities for fire management for the 2013 season and the current status of recreation services.

Reclamation is working to implement the Lake Berryessa Visitor Services Plan Record of Decision and provide for recreation in the lake’s concession areas for the 2013 recreation season. Reclamation’s goal continues to be to provide safe and enjoyable recreation experiences for visitors to Lake Berryessa.

To be added to the Lake Berryessa email/mailing list or to request special assistance to attend the May 22 meeting, please contact Janet Sierzputowski, Public Affairs Office, at 916-978-5112 (TTY 916-978-5608) or jsierzputowski@usbr.gov.

Lake Berryessa is managed by Reclamation’s Central California Area Office as part of the Solano Project. Additional information is available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/ccao/berryessa/index.html.

Draft Environmental Documents Released for Warren Act Contracts for Storage and Conveyance of Non-CVP Water from Placer County Water Agency to Westlands Water District

2013-05-13 14:13:00.0

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation has released a Draft Environmental Assessment and a Finding of No Significant Impact for the execution of a Warren Act contract for the storage and conveyance of non-Central Valley Project water to facilitate a water transfer from Placer County Water Agency to Westlands Water District.

Reclamation proposes to enter into a one-year Warren Act contract with WWD for the storage and conveyance through federal facilities of up to 20,000 acre-feet of the non-CVP water. The proposed action would help alleviate water supply shortages within WWD.

Written comments on the Draft EA and FONSI must be received by the close of business on May 27, 2013. Send comments to Sheri Looper, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-400, Sacramento, CA 95825. Comments may also be faxed to 916-978-5290 or emailed to slooper@usbr.gov. The documents are available online at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=13530. If you encounter problems accessing the documents online, please call 916-978-5100, or email mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov. For additional information, please contact Looper at 916-978-5556.

Grand Coulee Dam and Partners Receive National Award

2013-05-13 14:04:00.0

GRAND COULEE, Wash. - The Bureau of Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Region along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Chelan County Public Utility District were honored on April 23 at the 2013 National Hydropower Association annual conference in Washington, D.C.

The agencies received the Outstanding Stewards of America's Waters Award (OSAW) for Public Education for their collaborative educational program called the "D3 Geocache Challenge", a high-tech treasure hunt offered at Grand Coulee Dam, Chief Joseph Dam, and Rocky Reach Dam, all located on the Columbia River.

Geocaching uses GPS (global positioning system) devices or a Smartphone to receive clues to search for hidden items and learn about clean, renewable energy in a fun way.

Upon completing the specific geocaches at Grand Coulee Dam, treasure hunters return to the Visitor Center to receive their prize, a piece of the overhead power lines that once carried electricity from the largest powerplant in the United States. To receive a distinguished D3 patch, visitors must also complete additional geocaches at Chief Joseph Dam and Rocky Reach Dam.

"This was truly a partnership project," said Lynne Brougher, Grand Coulee Dam Public Affairs Officer. "Coordinating the program with the other dams was fun and it was a great opportunity for the participants to learn interesting facts about the dams and a great way to promote local tourism. It took a lot of teamwork. The staff members at the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center worked diligently to ensure the program succeeded by assisting visitors in their quest to complete the challenge."

Due to the success of the program in 2012, it is being expanded to 10 additional Northwest dams this summer through the Foundation for Water and Energy Education.

The Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. with extended hours during the summer season. Geocache locations are accessible from dawn to dusk.

For more information about geocaching at Grand Coulee Dam, contact the Visitor Center at (509) 633-9265.

Hungry Horse Dam Visitor Center Summer Schedule

2013-05-13 10:28:00.0

HUNGRY HORSE, Mont. - The Bureau of Reclamation announces the opening of the Hungry Horse Dam Visitor Center for the summer season beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Hours for the Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27 will be from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. For the remainder of the summer seasonm, the visitor center will be open Wednesday through Sunday, from 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., starting May 29.

The access road to the dam is off Highway 2 past the Hungry Horse/Glacier View Forest Service building. The visitor center is located at the north end of the dam's crest.

Parking is not permitted on top of the dam, but in designated areas only.

For additional information call (406) 387-5241.

Hungry Horse Dam stands 564 feet tall and was completed in 1953. It is located on the south fork of the Flathead River, 15 miles south of the west entrance to Glacier National Park and 20 miles northeast of Kalispell, Mont.

Snake River Flows Increasing to Benefit Native Fish

2013-05-13 09:40:00.0

BURLEY, Idaho - The Bureau of Reclamation will increase flows in the Snake River below Palisades Dam this week to about 18,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Each day, starting May 13, the flow will increase about 15 percent until the maximum is reached on May 18. After the high flow is sustained for two days, it will be slowly decreased. The flow will return to the 30-year average of about 13,000 cfs during Memorial Day weekend.

"One objective of this operation is to approach 20,000 cfs at the gage near Heise, approximately 48 river miles downstream of Palisades," said Roland Springer, Assistant Area Manager for Reclamation's Upper Snake Field Officel. "Providing high flows at the same time that nature would provide them benefits native fish."

These water releases will not affect Reclamation's ability to meet its water delivery obligations. American Falls Reservoir will store the water that is passed through Palisades Reservoir to be used farther downstream.

The river will be fast and cold during the high flow period. Please use caution and be aware when recreating near the river.

Carl Hayden Visitor Center Exhibits to Undergo Extensive Remodel

2013-05-13 08:28:00.0

Salt Lake City, Utah – The Carl Hayden Visitor Center in Page, Ariz. is about to undergo a major face lift with all new displays now being designed for visitors to the Bureau of Reclamation's Glen Canyon Dam and the National Park Service's Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Reclamation has issued a contract valued at approximately $1.5 million to Pacific Studio, Inc. of Seattle, Wash. to design, fabricate and install all new exhibits in the center.

Reclamation and the National Park Service are partners in the operation of the visitor center located adjacent to the dam. The primary theme for the exhibits is: "The Colorado River and its surrounding landscape embody survival, adaptation, and change, while Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell bring into sharp focus the dilemma of water and power management and its effects on the people and environment of the desert southwest." Pacific Studio has already begun the data gathering work that will eventually shape the final designs. The finished exhibits will be installed over the winter of 2014 – 2015 with an opening anticipated on May 31, 2015.

Reclamation's Upper Colorado Regional Director Larry Walkoviak pointed out that the current exhibits were installed twenty-five years ago and are in need of updating. "Significant changes in the operation of Glen Canyon Dam and the overall management of the Colorado River system have occurred since the old exhibits were installed in 1988. The new center will interpret not only the history and construction of the dam, but will reflect upon the broad range of dam and river management challenges." Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Superintendent Todd Brindle said, "The exhibits will examine the totality of management challenges, past and current human interactions with the land and river, and resource and recreation management into the future."

Pacific Studio will design, fabricate and install the exhibits and other interpretive media, remove existing exhibits, and prepare the area for the new displays. Reclamation will manage the contract which is being undertaken through a memorandum of understanding between National Park Service and Reclamation with each agency providing 50 percent of the funds involved. "The exhibits will benefit all visitors to the parks and the dam," said Brindle, "and are being funded with revenue from entrance fees and annual passes." Walkoviak said that "the contributions from Reclamation are funded through the sale of hydro-power from Glen Canyon Dam."