Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Implementation Plan

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | September 21st, 2012

Significant modifications have been made to the historic floodplain of California‘s Central Valley for water supply and flood damage reduction purposes. The resulting l

Significant modifications have been made to the historic floodplain of California‘s Central Valley for water supply and flood damage reduction purposes. The resulting losses of rearing habitat, migration corridors, and food web production for fish have significantly hindered native fish species that rely on floodplain habitat during part or all of their life history. The Yolo Bypass (Bypass), which currently experiences at least some flooding in approximately 80% of years, still retains many characteristics of the historic floodplain habitat that are favorable to various fish species. In approximately 70% of years, Fremont Weir overtops, joining flows from western tributaries. In approximately 10% of years, localized flooding is due to western tributary contributions only (DWR 2008, Woodland gauge, unpublished analysis). The primary function of the Bypass is flood damage reduction, with most of it also managed as agricultural land. The Bypass has also been identified by several State and federal entities as a potential site for habitat restoration to ease pressure on and increase benefits to threatened and endangered fish species. On June 4, 2009, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued its Biological Opinion and Conference Opinion on the Long-term Operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) (NMFS Operation BO). The NMFS Operation BO concluded that, if left unchanged, CVP and SWP operations were likely to jeopardize the continued existence of four federally- listed anadromous fish species: Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, California Central Valley steelhead, and Southern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) North American green sturgeon. The NMFS Operation BO sets forth Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) actions that would allow continuing SWP and CVP operations to remain in compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). This Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Draft Implementation Plan (Implementation Plan) was prepared jointly by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to address two specific RPA Actions set forth in the NMFS Operation BO: RPA Action I.6.1: Restoration of Floodplain Rearing Habitat, through the increase of seasonal inundation within the lower Sacramento River basin; and RPA Action I.7: Reduce Migratory Delays and Loss of Salmon, Steelhead, and Sturgeon, through the modification of Fremont Weir and other structures of the Yolo Bypass. As mandated by the NMFS Operation BO, this Implementation Plan describes the activities, process, and timeline required to implement actions to address the requirements of RPA Actions I.6.1 and I.7. Major California restoration planning efforts over several decades (e.g., CALFED, the Bay Delta Conservation Plan) have focused on the Yolo Bypass as a prime area of the Sacramento Valley for enhancement of seasonal floodplain rearing habitat. The Yolo Bypass is generally seen as one of the best places in the lower Sacramento River Basin on which to focus implementation resources in order to achieve implementation of floodplain enhancements because of these efforts. Some of the technical foundation for these efforts has been well laid and interaction with stakeholders and local property owners has been initiated and is on-going. Implementation procedures related to RPA Action I.6.1 within the NMFS Operation BO specify that this Implementation Plan include an evaluation of options to "increase aquatic inundation of publicly and privately owned suitable acreage within the Yolo Bypass." Therefore, this Implementation Plan focuses on restoration of floodplain rearing habitat within the Yolo Bypass to address RPA Action I.6.1. However, the planning and environmental compliance process will consider a reasonable range of alternatives for implementing this RPA action. Additional discussion regarding the availability and suitability of areas for seasonal floodplain inundation is provided in Section 6: Proposals to Refine the RPA Actions.

Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency 2022 Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency | January 24th, 2022

Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency's implementation of the GSP will begin in 2022 after adoption and official submission of the plan to the Department of Water Resources. T

Yolo Subbasin Groundwater Agency's implementation of the GSP will begin in 2022 after adoption and official submission of the plan to the Department of Water Resources. The YSGA intends to form Advisory Committees for each Management Area to construct a framework for on-the-ground implementation of the plan. These Advisory Committees will provide a forum for collaboration of YSGA members and stakeholders to facilitate an adaptive response to local issues and to develop the roadmap for successful plan implementation. The Advisory Committees will provide a timely response to minimum threshold exceedances or other identified concerns and prioritize local implementation of projects and management actions. Advisory Committees will be comprised of an equal representation of stakeholders, including agricultural, urban, and environmental representatives. These local committees will provide an opportunity for information sharing, innovation, and the collaborative development of adaptive management practices. Updates from the Management Area Advisory Committees, progress of project implementation, and other YSGA activities will be posted regularly on the YSGA website and will be published in an annual newsletter. This is just the beginning of ensuring sustainable management of groundwater resources in the Yolo Subbasin. The GSP is considered a living document that will be adaptively managed as we continue to use the best available science and tools to complete ground surveys and access credible and sufficient data for making effective decisions. The YSGA and the stakeholders in the Subbasin are committed to an open, transparent, and all-inclusive process to resolve important local issues related to groundwater. This is an exciting opportunity to work together to preserve this valuable community resource and ensure the well-being of Yolo County. Due to size, the GSP file has been divided into four parts. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Your Delta, Your Voice

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | May 28th, 2021

In Fall 2020, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) launched an environmental justice community survey entitled Your Delta, Your Voice. The survey was live f

In Fall 2020, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) launched an environmental justice community survey entitled Your Delta, Your Voice. The survey was live from September 30 through December 11, 2020. Survey development and outreach was led by Ag Innovations and supported by numerous partners and agency staff. The survey had the following goals: 1) to gather information from disadvantaged communities in the Delta region about how they work, live, recreate and experience the Delta, 2) to understand how the community values and uses its natural, economic, and social resources, and 3) increase awareness of the proposed project and interest in participating in public engagement among disadvantaged community members in the Delta region. These goals were pursued in order to inform the proposed Delta Conveyance Project environmental review and planning process, with a particular emphasis on the environmental justice chapter of the CEQA Environmental Impact Report. Ag Innovation’s intent was to faithfully reflect the input and perspectives gathered via the survey within this report. In January 2021, DWR began developing a Delta Conveyance Project Community Benefits Program. The information gathered from the survey will also be used to inform DWR’s efforts to work towards community benefits in the Delta region, although that was not part of the original intent of the survey as the program did not exist at that time.

Yuba Subbasins Water Management Plan: A Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Yuba Water Agency | December 27th, 2019

Yuba-Feather FIRO Final Viability Assessment

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | March 14th, 2025

This Yuba-Feather Final Viability Assessment (FVA) evaluates whether improved precipitation and runoff forecasts can reduce flood risk downstream of New Bullards Bar (NBB

This Yuba-Feather Final Viability Assessment (FVA) evaluates whether improved precipitation and runoff forecasts can reduce flood risk downstream of New Bullards Bar (NBB), owned and operated by Yuba Water Agency (Yuba Water), and Lake Oroville (ORO), owned and operated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). These reservoirs are in the Yuba-Feather watersheds in the Sierra Nevada and eastern Sacramento Valley of Northern California (Figure ES-1 and ES-2). Each reservoirs’ flood risk reduction operations are regulated by United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) through Water Control Manuals (WCMs).  Reducing flood risk by making reservoir releases ahead of storms creates additional temporary flood storage space for anticipated inflows but requires confidence and skill in forecasted conditions.