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Fish Passage Improvement Program (FPIP)

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Background

In 1997, the M&T / Llano Seco Pumping and Fish Screen Facility was moved from Big Chico Creek to the east bank of the Sacramento River just downstream from the mouth of the creek. As part of the agreement to relocate the pumping facility to the Sacramento River, M&T Ranch and Llano Seco Ranch agreed to dedicate approximately 40 cfs of their Butte Creek adjudicated water right to the instream flow of Butte Creek. Since 1997, geomorphic changes have occured on the Sacramento River that pose a risk to the operation of the M&T / Llano Seco Pumping and Fish Screen Facility. The agreement holds that if pumping problems occur at the Sacramento River plant, M&T and Llano Seco may resume use of their Butte Creek water right. Eliminating 40 cfs of Butte Creek flow will have significant impacts to the fish transportation flow in Butte Creek.

Providing a long-term solution to the fish passage and water supply issues at M&T / Llano Seco Pumping and Fish Screen Facility is funded through CALFED's ERP Directed Action process under ERP-95-M05 and Milestone 72. The M&T / Llano Seco Pumping and Fish Screen Facility Project is recognized as effectively implementing CALFED ERP Goals 1, 2, and 4, while fulfilling Anadromous Fish Restoration Program and Anadromous Fish Screen Program objectives. For additional information, see the Ducks Unlimited website.

M&T / Llano Seco Pumping and Fish Screen Facility Project

A steering committee was developed to provide technical assistance in creating a detailed proposal for a long-term solution to the fish passage and water supply issue. At the request of the steering committee and the ERP, the Fish Passage Improvement Program funded Northern District's staff to provide technical assistance to help evaluate various alternatives for a long-term solution in 2005 - 2007. Technical support provided by Northern District included:

  • Bank erosion surveys and mapping
  • Gravel bar surveys, bulk and surface gravel sampling
  • Bathometric survey adjacent to gravel bar and eroding bank
  • Off-site evaluation of existing Ranney Systems in Northern California
  • Review of short-term mitigation
  • Review of detailed alternative options
  • Review of long-term proposal alternative and physical modeling results
  • Participation in meetings and conference calls