Participants of this tour snaked along the San Joaquin River to learn firsthand about one of the nation’s largest and most expensive river restoration plans.

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.

The 2-day, 1-night tour traveled along the river from Friant Dam near Fresno to the confluence of the Merced River. As it wove across an historic farming region, participants learned about the status of the river’s restoration and how the challenges of the plan are being worked out.

What attendees said about this tour:

What did you like best?

“Good range of views and challenges.”

“Good organization. Cool to see the fish released.”

“It was well organized and everything ran smoothly. I appreciated this because it made the focus of the event education, rather than worrying about logistics.”

Planned Stops Included:

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

Topics Included:

• Central Valley Project operations
• Current restoration activities and timeline
• Fishery restoration goals
• Gravel mining impacts
• 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
• Drought impacts to allocations

Pricing Details:

Regular Price – $555 (one-person single occupancy room)

Early Bird Price – $525 if you register online by Oct. 11. Click on the Eventbrite button above.

Fee includes all tour meals, transportation, materials, snacks and hotel accommodations once the tour begins. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the tour’s beginning and end point.

Tour Start and End Point:

This tour starts and ends in Fresno at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fresno Highway 41. The address is 7115 N Howard St.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Deadline to cancel and receive a full refund is two weeks prior to the first day of the tour due to hotel, meal and transportation bookings.

Substitutions are allowed up to three business days before the tour.

Continuing Educational Credits:

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