4/5/2019
Note: This update is taking the place of the normal Monday 4/8 update. I will be off for the next three Mondays so there won't be updates on 4/15 and 4/22. The short term aqueduct forecast and short term Delta forecasts will be available as usual on the web page.
7 Day Northern California Precipitation Forecast: 20% chance of precip. on 4/8, 10% on 4/9, 0% on 4/10, 0% on 4/11, 10% on 4/12, 0% on 4/13 and a 40% on 4/14
From CDEC: Precipitation to date for water year 2018-2019 - As of 4/5/2019:
Northern Sierra Precipitation Index: 58.8" - 134% of average for this date
San Joaquin Precipitation Index: 43.0" - 127% of average for this date
Tulare Basin Precipitation Index: 31.3" - 129% of average for this date
From CDEC: Average statewide snow water equivalents as of 4/4/2019:
North: 47.4" - 164% of normal for this date
Central: 47.8" - 165% of normal for this date
South: 38.5" - 153% of normal for this date
Statewide: 45.0" - 162% of normal for this date
River Flows (Current and estimated future flow rates)
Sacramento River (Freeport)
The daily average reported 67,400 cfs on 4/4 and is forecast to increase to 68,264 cfs on 4/7 then possibly increase to 68,552 cfs by 4/10.
Feather River (at Boyd's Landing)
The Feather is currently reporting 23,376 cfs and is forecast to increase to 29,886 cfs on 4/6 then possibly increase to 32,741 cfs by 4/10.
San Joaquin River (near Vernalis)
The San Joaquin is reporting 15,779 cfs and is forecast to decrease to 14,224 cfs on 4/7 then possibly decrease further to 13,362 by 4/10.
Delta Cross Channel Gate Operation
Posted: 11/28/2018
Delta Cross Channel Gates will CLOSE on Friday November 30, 2018 at approximately 0900 hrs.
The gates will remain closed until further notice.
Comment: NMFS BO Action IV.1.2 (Dec. 1)
Objective: Modify DCC gate operation to reduce direct and indirect mortality of emigrating
juvenile salmonids and green sturgeon in November, December, and January.
Action: During the period between November 1 and June 15, DCC gate operations will be
modified from the proposed action to reduce loss of emigrating salmonids and green
sturgeon. The operating criteria provide for longer periods of gate closures during the
emigration season to reduce direct and indirect mortality of yearling spring-run, winter-run,
and CV steelhead. From December 1 to January 31, the gates will remain closed, except as
operations are allowed using the implementation procedures/modified Salmon Decision Tree
PLEASE NOTE: GATES MAY NEED TO BE CLOSED WITH
SHORT NOTICE IF A FISHERY CONCERN IS IDENTIFIED.
EC and Bromide - Banks Pumping Plant, Jones Pumping Plant, Clifton Court Forebay (EC), San Joaquin River at Vernalis, Gianelli Pumping Plant, Hood (EC)
Same as last week at Banks, Jones, Vernalis and Hood. Continued high flows from recent precipitation and reservoir releases are keeping EC and bromide at low levels. Discharge generation at Gianelli began on 4/1, this is why EC and bromide have increased.
Banks Daily Average: EC - 144 uS/cm, Br - < R.L. (0.05 mg/L), 10 Days ago: 170 uS/cm and < R.L. (0.05 mg/L)
Jones Daily Average: EC - 144 uS/cm, Br - < R.L. (0.05 mg/L), 10 days ago: 238 uS/cm, < R.L. (0.05 mg/L) (MWQI is now collecting EC data from an MWQI sensor at the station.)
Clifton Court Forebay: EC - 144 uS/cm, 5 days ago: 186 uS/cm
Vernalis: EC - 178 uS/cm, Br - <R.L. (0.05 mg/L), 10 days ago: 143 uS/cm and < R.L ( 0.05 mg/L)
Gianelli: EC - 522 uS/cm, Br - 0.3 mg/L, 10 days ago: 219 uS/cm and 0.08 mg/L
Hood: EC - 122 uS/cm, 10 days ago: 145 uS/cm
Organic Carbon, TOC and DOC - Banks Pumping Plant, Jones Pumping Plant, San Joaquin River at Vernalis, Gianelli Pumping Plant, Hood
While flows remain elevated, carbon levels remain about the same as last week except at Gianelli which has increased due to the switch in pumping directions.
Banks: TOC = 3.0 mg/L, DOC - 2.8 mg/L. 10 days ago: 3.3, 2.8
Jones: TOC = 2.9 mg/L, DOC - 2.7 mg/L. 10 days ago: 3.1, 2.8
Vernalis: TOC = 3.3 mg/L, DOC = 3.0 mg/L. 10 days ago: 3.1, 2.9
Gianelli: TOC = 3.9 mg/L, DOC = 3.5 mg/L. 10 days ago: 3.3, 3.0
Hood: TOC = 1.8 mg/L, DOC = 1.6 mg/L. 10 days ago 1.9, 1.7
Pumping: 3/26 - 4/4
Banks... varied between 2,633 cfs and 7,003 cfs; the 4/4 average was 3,464 cfs.
Jones... varied between 816 cfs and 1,878 cfs over the time period. The 4/4 average reported 816 cfs.
Gianelli Pumping Plant: Daily average discharge generation (Sal Luis Reservoir into O'Neill Forebay) varied between zero cfs and 3,405 cfs over the time period. The 4/4 average was 3,405 cfs. Daily average discharge pumping (O'Neill Forebay into San Luis Reservoir) vreported zero cfs over the time period.
O'Neill Pumping Plant: Daily average discharge generation (O'Neill Forebay to the DMC) reported zero cfs over the time period. Discharge pumping (DMC to O'Neill Forebay) varied between 330 cfs and 1,722 cfs. The 4/4 average was 330 cfs.
Dos Amigos Pumping Plant: Varied between 5,106 cfs and 7,859 cfs. The 4/4 daily average was 6,813 cfs.
South Bay Pumping Plant: Ranged between 25 cfs and 45 cfs. The 4/4 average was 45 cfs.
Barker Slough Pumping Plant: Varied between zero cfs and 8 cfs. The 4/4 average was zero cfs.
Stations:
Banks Pumping Plant - Operational
Jones Pumping Plant - Operational
Vernalis (San Joaquin River) - Operational
Hood (Sacramento River) - Operational
Gianelli Pumping Plant - Operational