This event guided attendees on a virtual journey along the San Joaquin River to learn about one of the nation’s largest and most expensive river restoration projects. 

The San Joaquin River was the focus of one of the most contentious legal battles in California water history, ending in a 2006 settlement between the federal government, Friant Water Users Authority and a coalition of environmental groups.

Under the now $1.2 billion plan, efforts are aimed at restoring flows to a 60-mile, mostly dry stretch of the San Joaquin River to revive chinook salmon runs while reducing or avoiding adverse water supply impacts to farmers.

This three-hour virtual tour hosted by Nick Gray and Jenn Bowles with technical support from Liz McAllister included:

• An overview presentation of the legal challenges leading to the San Joaquin River Restoration Program
• A 1-hour video tour of key project sites along the San Joaquin River
• Live Q&A with the speakers in chat rooms where attendees dived deeper into the topics

Topics Included:

• Central Valley Project operations
• Current restoration activities and timeline
• Fishery restoration goals
• Historical water rights and farming
• Potential salmon spawning and rearing areas
• Flood management planning and seepage issues
• Construction of fish screens and fish ladders
• Agricultural diversions and bypass control structures
• Interim flows and impacts to agricultural lands
• Various agency roles in restoration

As part of the event, attendees received a copy of one of our Layperson’s Guides and were entered into a drawing to win one of the Foundation’s beautiful water maps.

Contact Nick Gray, programs manager, with any questions via email.

What attendees say about our virtual tours:

“Great job! I want to see all this in person. Will have to be on the bus next year.”

“Amazing event. Thank you so much. WEF is an amazing resource to the water community, which is everyone!”

“Thank you to all WEF staff for putting together such a great tour. Your ability to adapt is fantastic, and I hope that you produce more virtual tours like this.”

Stops Included:

• Friant Dam
• San Joaquin River hatchery
• Scout Island salmon monitoring area
• Chowchilla Bifurcation Structure
• Mendota Pool
• Farmland along the San Joaquin River
• San Luis National Wildlife Refuge
• Confluence of the Merced River near Hills Ferry

Featured Experts Included:

• Hap Dunning, UC Davis Professor of Law, Emeritus
• Don Portz, program manager for the Bureau of Reclamation’s San Joaquin River Restoration Program
• Jason Phillips, chief executive officer for Friant Water Authority
• Paul Adelizi, environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish & Wildlife 
• Zak Sutphin, fish biologist with the San Joaquin River Restoration Program
• Reggie Hill, general manager of the Lower San Joaquin Levee District
• Chris White, executive director of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority
• Liz Vasquez, deputy program manager with the San Joaquin River Restoration Program
• Cannon Michael, president of Bowles Farming
• Jack Sparks, planner with the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

Pricing Details:

Cost was $159 and included a copy of one of our Layperson’s Guides.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Deadline to cancel and receive a refund is three days prior to the virtual tour. Substitutions are allowed up to two days before the tour. Eventbrite fees are nonrefundable and the remaining amount may be subject to an additional 10% processing fee.

Continuing Education Credits:

Continuing education credits are available for California attorneys for an additional fee, and may be available for water plant/wastewater plant operators and other vocations/professions.