From the San Joaquin River Restoration Program:
In support of the Water Management Goal of the San Joaquin River Settlement (Settlement), the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to provide funding for the construction and installation of two seasonal pump-back facilities for the Friant-Kern Canal (FKC) and approve Friant Water Authority access to the project footprints located on Reclamation land. The seasonal pump-back facilities would support the conveyance of recaptured Restoration Flows and other acquired Central Valley Project (CVP) and non-CVP waters to Friant Contractors via the FKC, in accordance with Paragraph 16(a) of the Settlement; Part III, Section 10201(a)(2) of the Settlement Act; the Secure Water Act, and appropriations for Western Drought Response included in Public Law 113-235.
Under the proposed action, a four-bay seasonal check structure with up to 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) capacity would replace the existing temporary pump-back facility at the Shafter Check Structure, and a two-bay seasonal check structure with up to 75 cfs capacity would replace the existing temporary pump-back facility at the Lake Woollomes Check Structure. These pump-back facilities would be removed at the end of each seasonal period and installed again at the beginning of the following season.
Reclamation has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment to analyze and disclose the potential impacts to the human environment of implementing this proposed action. The Draft Environmental Assessment is now posted for public review through July 25, 2025: https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/
Friant-Kern Canal Pump-Back Project_Public Draft_Environmental Assessment_508_20250623-rv.pdf
Any questions regarding this project should be addressed to Becky Victorine with the San Joaquin River Restoration Program at 916-978-4642 or via e-mail at rvictorine@usbr.gov
Questions about the San Joaquin River Restoration Program should be directed to Josh Newcom, Program Public Affairs at 916-978-5508 or via e-mail at snewcom@usbr.gov
