South San Joaquin Irrigation District in one fell swoop could improve the outlook for fish, help farmers south of the Delta, and boost the district’s financial bottom line.

Recent snowfall on the Stanislaus River watershed indicates the SSJID along with Oakdale Irrigation District will likely receive the full 600,000 acre feet of runoff that they share with first-in-line water rights.

That is on top of the two districts’ water conservation account in the New Melones Reservoir.

If that happens, the two districts will be able to participate in an April-May window that would allow them to release up to 100,000 acre feet to improve critical soring fish flows.

That would allow them to eventually sell the water to farmers south of Delta once it flows down the river and into the Delta to benefit fish.

The release, should it occur, would provide for positive impacts.

*Fisheries benefits 

The releases are coordinated with fishery agency representatives from California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service, and used to shape the Stanislaus River spring pulse flows and enhance the spring out-migration of fall-run Chinook salmon.

*Water quality

The releases assist in meeting spring pulse flow water quality objectives in the lower San Joaquin River for water quality.

*Water supply

After meeting environmental and water quality needs, the released water volumes are made available to south-of-delta water agencies, providing critically needed water supply to other areas of the state.

*Modernization, conservation, and reliability

The revenues garnered from this program allow the Districts to construct conservation and modernization irrigation projects, which promote continued stewardship of their combined water resources.

The potential spring fish flow fish release will be discussed when the SSJID board meets Tuesday at 9 a.m.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com