10/19/2020

10 Day Northern California Precipitation Forecast: 0% chance of precipitation today and tomorrow, 20% on 10/21, 10% on 10/22, 20% on 10/23 then 10% through 10/28

From CDEC: Precipitation to date for water year 2020-2021 - As of 10/19/2020:

Northern Sierra Precipitation Index: 0" - 0% of average for this date

San Joaquin Precipitation Index: 0" - 0% of average for this date

Tulare Basin Precipitation Index: 0" - 0% of average for this date

From CDEC: Average statewide snow water equivalents as of 6/26/2020:

North: 0.0" - 0% of normal for this date

Central: 0.0" - 0% of normal for this date

South: 0.0" - 0% of normal for this date

Statewide: 0.0" - 0% of normal for this date

River Flows (Current and estimated future flow rates from NOAA's California Nevada River Forecast Center and CDEC)

Sacramento River (Freeport)

The 10/18 daily average reported 7,988 cfs and may decrease to 7,417 cfs by 10/23.

Feather River (at Boyd's Landing)

The Feather is reporting 3,043 cfs and is expected to remain about the same through 10/23.

San Joaquin River (near Vernalis)

The San Joaquin is currently reporting 1,810 cfs and should increase to 2,053 cfs on 10/19, decrease to 1,265 cfs on 10/21 then increase to 1,307 cfs on 10/23. (Fall pulse flow)

Delta Cross Channel Gate Operation

Posted: 10/16/2020

Delta Cross Channel Gates will CLOSE on Tuesday October 13, 2020 at approximately 1600 hrs.

Delta Cross Channel Gates will OPEN on Saturday October 17, 2020 at approximately 1000 hrs.

Delta Cross Channel Gates will CLOSE on Tuesday October 20, 2020 at approximately 1600 hrs.

Delta Cross Channel Gates will OPEN on Saturday October 24, 2020 at approximately 1000 hrs.

Comment:  Lower Mokelumne River pulse flow.

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 only), San Joaquin River at Vernalis, Gianelli Pumping Plant, Sacramento River at Hood (EC only)

Vernalis saw a major decrease over the time period in association with the first fall pulse flow that moved down the SJR. Gianelli increased and decreased due to switches in pumping operation. The pulse flow affecting Vernalis has not affected Jones or Banks, they remained stable. The anion analyzer at Jones is experiencing a software issue that is being worked on. Hopefully we will have a solution soon.

Banks: EC - (Est.) 485 uS/cm, Bromide - 0.34 mg/L, 10 Days ago: 499 uS/cm and 0.34 mg/L (The SONDE is reporting constant zeros.)

Jones Daily Average: EC - 535 uS/cm, (Est.) Br - 0.28 mg/L, 10 days ago: 558 uS/cm, (Est.) 0.28 mg/L (The anion analyzer is non-operational.)

Clifton Court Forebay Daily Average: EC - 472 uS/cm, 10 days ago: 466 uS/cm

Vernalis: EC - 219 uS/cm, Br - 0.07 mg/L, 10 days ago: 542 uS/cm and Br 0.23 mg/L

Gianelli: EC - 474 uS/cm, Br - 0.18 mg/L, 10 days ago: 476 uS/cm and 0.22 mg/L

Hood: EC - 136 uS/cm, 10 days ago: 126 uS/cm

Organic Carbon, TOC and DOC - Banks Pumping Plant, Jones Pumping Plant, San Joaquin River at Vernalis, Gianelli Pumping Plant, Sacramento River at Hood

No major shifts at any of the stations over the time period. The SJR pulse flow and operational shifts at Gianelli did not affect levels at Vernalis, Jones, Banks or Gianelli.

Banks: TOC = 3.3 mg/L, DOC - 3.0 mg/L 10 days ago: 3.2, 3.0

Jones: TOC = 2.8 mg/L, DOC - 2.4 mg/L 5 days ago: 2.8, 2.6

Vernalis: TOC = 2.8 mg/L, DOC = 2.6 mg/L 10 days ago: 2.7, 2.4

Gianelli: TOC = 3.3 mg/L, DOC = 3.0 mg/L 10 days ago: 3.2, 3.0

Hood: TOC = 1.5 mg/L, DOC = 1.3 mg/L 10 days ago: 1.4, 1.2

Daily Average Pumping: 10/9 through 10/18

Banks Pumping Plant ... ranged between 239 cfs and 752 cfs over the time period. The 10/18 average was 282 cfs.

Jones Pumping Plant ... ranged between 3,262 cfs and 3,422 cfs over the time period. The 10/18 average was 3,405 cfs.

Gianelli Pumping Plant ... discharge generation (San Luis Reservoir water moving out of the reservoir into O'Neill Forebay) ranged between zero cfs and 904 cfs over the time period. The 10/18 average was zero cfs. Discharge pumping (O'Neill Forebay water moving into San Luis Reservoir) ranged between zero cfs and zero cfs over the time period. The 10/18 average was zero cfs.

O'Neill Pumping Plant (Federal CVP) ... discharge generation (O'Neill Forebay water moving into the DMC) varied between zero cfs and 17 cfs over the time period. The 10/18 average was zero cfs. Discharge pumping (DMC water moving into O'Neill Forebay) ranged between 1,106 cfs and 1,631 cfs over the time period. The 10/18 average was 1,631 cfs.

Dos Amigos Pumping Plant ... ranged between 1,401 cfs and 2,511 cfs over the time period. The 10/18 average was 1,672 cfs.

South Bay Pumping Plant ... ranged between 135 cfs and 199 cfs over the time period. The 10/18 average was 199 cfs.

Barker Slough Pumping Plant ... ranged between 76 cfs and 102 cfs over the time period. The 10/18 average was 81 cfs.

Status of the Temporary Barriers as of October 15, 2020:

Spring Head of Old River Barrier
The barrier was not installed this season.

Middle River Barrier
Mobilization to install the barrier started on May 1, 2020.  The in-water work started on May 4, 2020.  The barrier was closed on May 9, 2020.  There are total of 6 flap gates and 5 flap gates were released to tidal operation on May 26, 2020.  On June 12, 2020, the remaining flap gate was released to tidal operation.  The notching of the Middle River barrier for the passage of adult salmon was completed on Monday, September 14, 2020.

Old River near Tracy Barrier
Mobilization to install the barrier started on May 1, 2020.  The in-water work started on May 4, 2020.  The boat ramp was completed on 5/21/2020.  The barrier was closed on May 29, 2020 with one flap gate tied open and the rest operating tidally. On June 12, 2020, the remaining flap gate was released to tidal operation.  Boat portage operations will be available from 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday and 7am to 7pm Saturday and Sunday.  The notching of the Old River near Tracy Barrier for the passage of adult salmon was completed on Monday, September 14, 2020.

Grant Line Canal Barrier
Mobilization to install the barrier started on May 9, 2020.  The in-water work started on May 11, 2020.  The boat ramp was completed on 5/27/2020.  The barrier was fully closed, and all flap gates are tied open on June 1, 2020.  On June 15, 2020 all flap gates were released to tidal operation. Boat portage operations will be available from 6am to 8pm every day.  The adjustment of the flash board structure at Grant Line Canal Barrier for the passage of adult salmon was completed on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

Fall Head of Old River Barrier
The barrier will not be installed this season.

Environmental Compliance
As required by the environmental permits, pre‐construction surveys have been conducted in advance of construction.  All monitors have been approved for environmental monitoring and will be present during all phases of construction including the in-water work.  Environmental education has been provided to the crew members.  Required discreet turbidity and dissolved oxygen monitoring data is being collected during the in‐water work phase of the construction.  No environmental issues have been observed thus far.

Water Temperature
Monitoring of water temperature at the San Joaquin River at Mossdale Bridge station (MSD) is being conducted as part of the 2019 USFWS Biological Opinion for the Long-term Operations of the SWP and CVP which states, “Barriers would include at least one culvert open to allow for fish migration when water temperatures are less than 71.6°F (22°C).  Per NMFS clarification, we moved to a daily average and met the criteria at 71.6°F (22°C) on May 9, 27, 28 and 29, 2020.

Water Level  Modeling
Modeling was conducted for the simulation period from October 13, 2020 through November 2, 2020.  Forecasted water levels at Middle River at Howard Road, Old River at Tracy Blvd, and Grant Line Canal at Doughty Cut are above the specified threshold denoted by a red line in each plot.  The modeling results are attached, and actual water levels are tracking well with the forecasts.  DWR will continue to monitor and report water levels and conditions.
Real-time south Delta water level data is available on CDEC at the URL below:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/river/southdeltaStages.html

Water Level Complaints
The following section summarizes an ongoing list of water level complaints received during the year 2020:

• Two water level complaints were received from South Delta Water Agency on April 28, 2020 indicating very low water levels in Middle River near the Wood Irrigation Company and at Undine Road.
• Water level complaints at Tom Paine Slough were received on June 11, 17, and 18th from Pescadero Reclamation District who have installed two 4500 gallon per minute pumps to help with water level issues. 
• Additional water level complaints were received on July 1, 10, and 14 from Pescadero Reclamation District indicating low water levels in Tom Paine Slough are severely impacting water deliveries
• A complaint was received August 10, 2020 regarding excessive aquatic vegetation surrounding the pump located upstream of the Old River near Tracy Barrier, impairing local farmers ability to divert water.
• An additional water level complaint regarding low water levels at Tom Paine Slough was received on August 20, 2020.
• On August 25, 2020, a water level complaint was submitted by Pescadero Reclamation District noting that the pumping capacity from Sugar Cut is now down to less than 50%.

Upon a demonstrated need (whether through water level complaints or water level forecasts), conditional approval has been received to raise Middle River weir by one foot.