Pulse Flows Component of the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) Groundwater Projects

The Pulse Flows Component is defined by the following DWR actions: (1) Release of the pulse flows from Lake Oroville into the Low Flow Channel of the Feather River, with the goal of improving habitat conditions for listed salmonids, as well as improving spawning and migration conditions for other listed and non-listed native fish species. (2) Implementation of the WSIP Operational Exchange Process that develops water used for pulse flow releases. (3) Diversion and conveyance of water to Kern Fan and Willow Springs that would be stored, in part, for ecosystem benefit. Implementation of the Pulse Flows Component would not require construction of any new facilities in addition to those previously analyzed in the three WSIP Groundwater Projects’ EIRs. Existing facilities would be used, with operations modified to support the pulse flow releases. The Pulse Flows Component study area analyzed in this Draft SEIR extends approximately 575 miles from Lake Oroville in Northern California to the WSIP Groundwater Projects in the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California.