The recent deluge has led to changes in drought conditions in some areas of California and even public scrutiny of the possibility that the drought is over. Many eyes are focused on the San Joaquin Valley, one of the areas hardest hit by reduced surface water supplies. On our Central Valley Tour, March 8-10, we will visit key water delivery and storage sites in the San Joaquin Valley, including Friant Dam and Millerton Lake on the San Joaquin River.

This federal reservoir supplies farmers on the east side of the valley and its improving storage levels (73 percent of capacity as of Jan. 18) are a welcome sight. But flood control is a key part of Friant’s operations, which could require increased releases downstream.

Tour participants will have the opportunity to see for themselves how the dam and reservoir are operating and will get to learn more about the proposal to build a new dam, Temperance Flat, above Friant to take advantage of such high flows.

On the tour you will get to meet with managers of Friant Dam, downstream users of the Madera and Friant-Kern canals, several San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors, staff working on the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, and stakeholders who use water for agriculture, recreation, habitat and urban populations.

Register here for this educational – and fun – tour. Take advantage of our early bird discount in effect until Feb. 8. For an additional fee, you can receive continuing education credits for the tour.

Click here for information about all our tours or contact Tour Director Dan Scott at (916) 444-6240 or dscott@watereducation.org for more details.