From the San Joaquin River Restoration Project:
In support of the Water Management Goal of the San Joaquin River Settlement, the San Joaquin River Restoration Program signed a Finding of No Significant Impact for the Friant-Kern Canal Pump-Back Project on September 19, 2025. This project provides funding for the construction and installation of two seasonal pump-back facilities for the Friant-Kern Canal (FKC). The project also approves Friant Water Authority access to the project footprints located on federal land.
The seasonal pump-back facilities will support 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 project, a four-bay seasonal check structure with up to 200 cubic feet per second (cfs) capacity will 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.
The project FONSI and Environmental Assessment are available at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/
Information about the SJRRP can be found at www.restoresjr.net.
