SJRRP Restoration Allocation Management

Allocation Inventory

SJRRP Restoration Year 2026 Restoration Flow Volumes

The Bureau of Reclamation provides an allocation of water that is dedicated for in-stream use in fulfillment of the Settlement. This Restoration Allocation is based upon the forecast of natural runoff upstream of Friant Dam. The Restoration Allocation is first made in January and updated regularly through May or June when it is finalized. Releases from Friant Dam for fish and wildlife purposes are called Restoration Flows. These flows are tracked and protected from unauthorized diversion as they make their way downriver to the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta.

The pattern and rate of Restoration Flows are scheduled by an independent Restoration Administrator, who may also draw upon “Buffer Flows” or acquire water to augment the Restoration Allocation. Any volume of the Restoration Allocation which cannot be released from Friant Dam due to downstream channel capacity limitations becomes Unreleased Restoration Flows that Reclamation may sell or exchange with proceeds benefiting restoration actions.

Allocation Distribution

SJRRP Restoration Year 2026 Restoration Flow Volumes

Exhibit B of the Settlement provides a default schedule of Restoration Flows. However, the Restoration Administrator may change the timing and pattern of releases to best benefit fish within certain conditions. The Settlement generally calls for the majority of water to be released from Friant Dam in March and April, with a lower baseflow throughout the remaining months and a small pulse flow in November. In “wet” year types spring flows extend into May, June, and July to facilitate riparian vegetation establishment and growth. In “dry” or “critical-high” year types, Restoration Flows are reduced such that the San Joaquin River may only flow continuously during the spring months. No Restoration Flows are released from Friant Dam in “critical-low” year types although Friant Dam releases some flow in all years to satisfy holding contracts between Friant Dam and Gravelly Ford. Restoration Flows are accounted for at Gravelly Ford, 38 miles downstream of Friant Dam.

The Restoration Allocation should be expended between March 1 and February 28/29 either as river releases or Unreleased Restoration Flows (URF) and cannot be carried over into the next “Restoration Year” (RY). The Restoration Administrator also has the option of advancing releases into the month of February (i.e. releasing Restoration Flows one month earlier overlapping the previous “Restoration Year”).

Monthly Distribution Figure

Accumulated Distribution Figure

Tables

Allocation Inventory

Allocation Distribution Monthly

Allocation Distribution Accumulated

Data Notes

• San Joaquin River Restoration Program website.
• Restoration Year is from March 1 through end of February the following year.
• Data extracted from SJRRP Operations spreadsheet provided by USBR.
• Spreadsheet Date: 2026/03/06.