3/18/2025

10-Day General Northern California Precipitation Forecast:

The weather forecast for the next ten days is a mixture of sun and overcast days with a chance for light showers on 3/19 and 3/27. Sunday through Tuesday are mostly sunny with highs in the mid to upper 70's.

From CDEC: Precipitation to date for water year 2024-2025 - as of 3/18/2025:

Northern Sierra Precipitation: 8-Station Index: 48.6" = 120% of average for this date

San Joaquin Precipitation: 5-Station Index: 23.5" = 77% of average for this date

Tulare Basin Precipitation: 6-Station Index: 20.8" = 96% of average for this date

From CDEC: Average Statewide Snow Water Content Equivalents as of 3/18/2025:

North: 27.3" = 107% of normal for this date

Central: 22.1" = 86% of normal for this date

South: 18.6" = 90% of normal for this date

Statewide: 22.4" = 92% 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 (I Street Bridge/ Freeport Bridge)

The 3/18/2025 daily average flow was 43,632 cfs and the average flow is expected to increase to 50,153 cfs through 3/23/2025.

Feather River (at Boyd's Landing)

As of 3/18/2025, the Feather River flow is 20,304 cfs and is expected to remain relatively unchanged at 20,199 cfs by 3/23/2025.

San Joaquin River (near Vernalis)

As of 3/18/2025, the San Joaquin River flow is 3,683 cfs and is expected to increase to 4,422 cfs by 3/23/2025.

Latest Delta Cross Channel Gate Operation (From the USBR website)

Posted: 11/21/2024

Delta Cross Channel gates are closed and will remain closed until further notice.

Comment: Facility maintenance and gate testing, please use caution

Note 1: Gates may be operated/closed on short notice for fishery protection in the November to January timeframe.

Note 2: Gate operations may take approx 30 minutes to complete, so boats may not be permitted to pass through the gates until approx 30 minutes after the scheduled opening time. Boat passage may be cut off approximately 30 minutes prior to the scheduled closing time.

EC and Bromide:

Banks: EC = 275.9932 uS/cm, Br = 0.13 mg/L. 10 days ago: EC = 298.5022 uS/cm, Br = 0.1855 mg/L.

Jones: EC = 316 uS/cm, Br = N/A mg/L. 10 days ago: EC = 667 uS/cm, Br = N/A mg/L.

Clifton Court Forebay: EC = 380.5 uS/cm, Br = N/A mg/L. 10 days ago: EC = 396.4 uS/cm, Br = N/A mg/L.

Vernalis: EC = 282 uS/cm, Br = N/A mg/L. 10 days ago: EC = 519 uS/cm, Br = N/A mg/L.

Gianelli: EC = N/A uS/cm, Br = 0.1889 mg/L. 10 days ago: EC = N/A uS/cm, Br = 0.2283 mg/L.

Organic Carbon, TOC and DOC:

Banks: TOC = 5.1 mg/L, DOC = 4.85 mg/L. 10 days ago: TOC = 5.51 mg/L, DOC = 5.27 mg/L.

Jones: TOC = N/A mg/L, DOC = N/A mg/L. 10 days ago: TOC = 4.02 mg/L, DOC = 3.79 mg/L.

Vernalis: TOC = 6.67 mg/L, DOC = 5.8 mg/L. 10 days ago: TOC = 3.89 mg/L, DOC = 3.56 mg/L.

Gianelli: TOC = 5.03 mg/L, DOC = 5.15 mg/L. 10 days ago: TOC = 5.39 mg/L, DOC = 5.51 mg/L.

Daily Average Pumping: 3/8 through 3/17

Banks Pumping Plant ... ranged between 1,784 cfs and 2,431 cfs over the time period. The 3/17 average was 2,423 cfs.

Jones Pumping Plant ... ranged between 4,060 cfs and 4,273 cfs over the time period. The 3/17 average was 4,245 cfs.

Gianelli Pumping Plant ... discharge generation (San Luis Reservoir water moving out of the reservoir into O'Neill Forebay) ranged between zero cfs and zero cfs over the time period. The 3/17 average was zero cfs.
Discharge pumping (O'Neill Forebay water moving into San Luis Reservoir) ranged between 2,628 cfs and 4,808 cfs over the time period. The 3/17 average was 3,686 cfs.

O'Neill Pumping Plant (Federal CVP) ... discharge generation (O'Neill Forebay water moving into the DMC) varied between zero cfs and zero cfs over the time period. The 3/17 average was zero cfs.
Discharge pumping (DMC water moving into O'Neill Forebay) ranged between 2,692 cfs and 3,249 cfs over the time period. The 3/17 average was 3,197 cfs.

Dos Amigos Pumping Plant ... ranged between 1,025 cfs and 2,599 cfs over the time period. The 3/17 average was 2,100 cfs.

South Bay Pumping Plant ... ranged between 44 cfs and 95 cfs over the time period. The 3/17 average was 89 cfs.

Barker Slough Pumping Plant ... ranged between zero cfs and 14 cfs over the time period. The 3/17 average was 3 cfs.

Status of the Temporary Barriers as of 3/18/2025

Middle River Barrier

Mobilization started on April 29 at 3:00pm. In-water work started on May 1 at 9:00am. Turbidity curtains were installed and flap gates were tied open on May 1 at 9:00am. The weir was closed on May 9 at 1:00pm and all 6 flap gates remain tied open. All in-water work was completed on May 10 at 11:30am. All 6 flap gates were released to tidal operation on June 10.

Old River near Tracy Barrier

Mobilization started on May 1. In-water work started on May 3. The weir was fully closed on May 31 at 12:00pm and all 9 flap gates remain tied open. Construction was completed by June 5. All 9 flap gates were released to tidal operation on June 10. Boat portage is available daily from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and from 7am to 7pm on weekends.