Owens Gorge Flow Restoration Project

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has executed Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (EPIMS-MOO-62579-R6), pursuant to Fish and Game Code section 1602, the project Applicant, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (Permittee). The Project is limited to the release of water to the Owens River below the Court-ordered Managed Average Base flows between Tunnel 1 and the Upper Gorge Power Plant as defined in the Stipulation for Entry of Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction and Order of Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction (Case No. 10088). Flows will be reduced to seepage flows (from Long Valley Reservoir) between Tunnel 1 and the Upper Gorge Power Plant during a temporary outage of Tunnel 1 and its associated penstock, so that the Permittee may inspect Tunnel 1 and its associated penstock, shutoff valve, surge chamber, and tunnel slidegate, and repair the pressure-relief valves at the Upper Gorge Power Plant. Reduced seepage flows of approximately 16 cfs will be maintained though the Owens River Gorge between February 17, 2026 and March 4, 2026. The entire project is anticipated to take approximately two weeks to complete.