Budget and Spending Plan Revised for Friant-Kern Canal Project: The board approved significant revisions to the Phase 1 budget and spending plan for the Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project. The changes defer construction of replacement pump stations until additional federal funding is secured, avoiding an unnecessary $6 million payment to the Bureau of Reclamation while maintaining the same construction contingency levels for outstanding contractor claims totaling approximately $21 million.
FY2026 Operations Budget Approved: The board unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026 Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement (OM&R) budget following a mandatory 60-day review period. The budget includes carryover funds for the enterprise resource planning system implementation and pre-approval for certain contracts over $100,000 to streamline operations.
Water Supply Remains Strong with Full Class 1 Allocations: The Friant Division maintains 100% Class 1 water allocations for the current year, with storage conditions better than forecasted. North of Delta reservoirs are performing above the 90% forecast levels, providing a strong buffer heading into the next water year despite some operational challenges from power outages and water quality constraints.
Pump Station Construction Deferred: Phase 1 pump station replacement work has been postponed pending resolution of precedent conditions set by the board, but funding requests prioritize these stations for future federal appropriations.
Restoration Flows Temporarily Suspended: San Joaquin River restoration flows were halted in June to preserve cold water for fall-spawning salmon, with potential restart delayed several more weeks based on temperature monitoring.
Delta Operations Constrained: Summer pumping experienced temporary reductions due to water quality requirements and a major power outage affecting state facilities, though operations have generally returned to full capacity.
Outstanding Contractor Claims: Significant unresolved contractor modifications totaling around $21 million remain pending, including $18 million related to flood damage, with resolution expected by September 2026.
San Luis Reservoir at Low Point: The reservoir reached its seasonal low point in August with approximately 100,000 acre-feet of project water remaining after removing drought pool and other stored water.
Blueprint Initiative Gains Federal Attention: The San Joaquin Valley Blueprint memo regarding presidential executive orders is being reviewed by federal agencies as a framework for implementation, with EPA Administrator Josh Cook planning a September visit to Fresno.
State Water Quality Control Plan Under Review: The State Water Resources Control Board released updated water quality control plans offering two compliance pathways, including voluntary agreements that could avoid unimpaired flow requirements.
Approved:
For questions or to provide input on water operations, contact the Friant Water Authority at 559-562-6305. The next Board of Directors meeting date was not specified in the materials provided.
