Ajay Goyal, Project Manager Dept of Water Resources
1416 9th St, Room 252-18
Sacramento, CA 95814
e-mail: agoyal@water.ca.gov Telephone: (916) 651-9823
FAX: (916) 653-9574

Donald Strickland
Media and Public Information Office
Dept of Water Resources
1416 9th St, Room 252-30
Sacramento, CA 95814
e-mail: donalds@water.ca.gov Telephone: (916) 653-9515

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The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) propose to implement the Franks Tract Project to improve water quality and fisheries conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta). DWR and Reclamation are evaluating installing operable gates to control the flow of water at key locations (Threemile Slough and/or West False River) to reduce sea water intrusion, and to positively influence movement of fish species of concern to areas that provide favorable habitat conditions. By protecting fish resources, this project also would improve operational reliability of the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) because curtailments in water exports(pumping restrictions) are likely to be less frequent.

Franks Tract Project Objectives

The overall purpose of the Franks Tract Project is to modify hydrodynamic conditions to protect and improve water quality in the central and south Delta, protect and enhance conditions for fish species of concern in the western and central Delta, and achieve greater operational flexibility for pump operations in the south Delta. Specifically, DWR and Reclamation have identified the following objectives for the project: 

1. Modify hydrodynamic conditions to protect fish species of concern, particularly delta smelt and longfin smelt;


2. Improve operational flexibility of the SWP and CVP by:
• protecting Delta fish resources, which can reduce curtailments in project water exports;
• reducing higher salinity water intrusion into the central and south Delta resulting from normal tidal influences, sea level rise, or catastrophic levee failures; and
• protecting water quality during extended closures of the Delta Cross Channel; and
3. Develop water quality and fish protection measures consistent with long-term planning efforts for the Delta.

Project Background

DWR and Reclamation have conducted studies to evaluate the feasibility of modifying the hydrodynamic conditions near Franks Tract to improve Delta water quality and enhance the aquatic ecosystem.  The results of these studies have indicated that modifying the hydrodynamic conditions near Franks Tract may substantially reduce salinity in the Delta and protect fishery resources, including the sharply declining populations of delta smelt, a federally listed and state-listed species that is endemic to the Delta. The studies are available in the “Project Library.”

The project gates would be operated seasonally and during certain hours of the day, depending on fisheries and tidal conditions. Boat passage facilities would be included to allow for passing of watercraft when the gates are in operation. The Franks Tract Project is consistent with ongoing planning efforts for the Delta to help balance competing uses and create a more sustainable system for the future. Preparation of a joint environmental impact statement/environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the project is underway, and public input is strongly encouraged.

The public scoping meetings were held on October 6, 7, 8, and 9, 2008. The scoping report is available in the project library section on the right sidebar.

To provide comments via this Web site, or to sign up for the Franks Tract Project mailing list, please click here.

Project Schedule

The project schedule is subject to availability of State Bond funds. Please check back later for updated information.