News Release Archive

Reclamation Increasing Lower American River Releases to 5,000 cfs

Media Contact: Shane Hunt, 916-978-5100, shunt@usbr.gov

For Release: June 30, 2016

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation is increasing releases below Nimbus Dam into the lower American River from 4,000 cubic feet per second to 4,500 cfs on July 1, and then to 5,000 cfs on July 5. Nimbus Dam is located seven miles downstream of Folsom Dam and Reservoir. The increases are based on Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta water quality requirements, Delta outflow requirements and to support Central Valley Project water deliveries.

People recreating in or along the lower American River downstream of Folsom Dam to the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers can expect cold and swifter than average flows for this time of year and should take appropriate safety precautions.

Located 26 miles northeast of Sacramento, Folsom Reservoir provides water for people, fish and wildlife, hydropower, the environment, and salinity-control requirements in the Delta.

Midnight Reservoir Elevation and Flows for Folsom may be found at Reclamation’s Central Valley Operations Office website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo/. Current American River conditions may be found at the Department of Water Resources’ California Data Exchange Center website at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/river/americanStages.html.

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