To achieve this objective, flow releases and water temperatures from Folsom Reservoir must more closely match the needs of anadromous fish, particularly fall run Chinook salmon and steelhead trout.

 

Since 1999, the Water Forum, in conjunction with the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries, California Department of Fish and Game, and other agencies, has been working toward an updated and improved flow management standard (FMS) for the lower American River to be presented to the State Water Resources Control Board.

 

The proposed FMS has three elements:

 

Prescriptive Element: Improve the regulatory baseline for the LAR to account for appropriate minimum flow, water temperature, ramping rate, and flow fluctuation criteria.

 

River Management Element: Establish a River Management Group and process for Folsom Reservoir and LAR operations to implement the FMS, document management decisions made and the results of those decisions.

 

Monitoring and Reporting Element: Collect, organize, and report data and information on LAR hydrologic and biologic conditions to resource managers.

 

For more information on the proposed FMS go to general description and overview:

 

Public Outreach

 

Draft Policy Document

 

Technical Appendix

 

Flow Standard Implementation Plan (includes letter to Reclamation) - December 2008

 

LAR Flow Management Standard