The San Joaquin River Restoration Tour, on Nov. 5-6, will explore the challenges and controversies related to restoration activities, especially in a year of extreme drought.

The San Joaquin River was the focus of one of the most contentious legal battles in California water history related to providing instream flows for fish. A 2006 settlement between the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Friant Water Users Authority led to creation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program.

This 2-day, 1-night tour will feature speakers from key governmental agencies and stakeholder groups, who will explain the restoration program’s goals and progress.

Topics to be discussed include:

• Central Valley Project operations and the drought
• Fishery restoration goals, current program activities and timeline
• Flood management planning and seepage issues
• Agricultural diversions and bypass control structures
• Interim flows and impacts to agricultural lands
• Various agency roles in restoration

Tentative stops include:

• Friant Dam
• San Joaquin Trout Hatchery
• Skaggs Bridge
• Chowchilla Bifurcation and Canal
• Mendota Pool
• Sack Dam
• Sand Slough Control Structure
• Merced National Wildlife Refuge
• Hills Ferry Barrier on the Merced River

The tour will begin at the Best Western Fresno Holiday Inn, 1551 North Peach Avenue, beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 5 and end at 6 p.m. Nov. 6.

For more information and to register, click here.