In the San Joaquin Valley, The Bay Institute is a leader in the 20-year effort to restore flows and fisheries to the San Joaquin River – the most degraded river in the entire watershed.

Consistent with our mission to protect and restore the Bay-Delta-River system from the Sierra to the sea, we have advocated for reconnecting the Upper San Joaquin River to the Bay from the organization's earliest days in the 1980’s.

 

The San Joaquin was dewatered for half a century until our legal and political efforts secured the first environmental water releases and paved the way for long-term recovery of river function and extirpated salmonid populations.

 

Interim Flows Update
Most of the 2009 fall flow releases infiltrated into the ground in Reach 1 and 2, recharging the depleted groundwater aquifers. The spring 2010 release will provide cleansing, beneficial flows to the Delta.

Historical Timeline
The Bay Institute's effort to restore the San Joaquin began in 1988 and continues today.

Implementation of the Settlement and Legislation in 2010
The Bay Institute will continue its efforts to ensure all aspects of the settlement and legislation are implemented.

Temperance Flat
The biggest ongoing threat to the river and Delta is the proposal by the State and Federal governments to build the large and expensive ($3.5 billion) Temperance Flat dam upstream of Friant Dam.

Partners and Grassroot Support
Local partnerships and grassroots support have been key elements in The Bay Institute's efforts to restore the San Joaquin River.