California Ag Network

Tag: Temperance Flat Project

  • Fresno County Farm Bureau issues statement on Support for Proposition 1 Funding of Temperance Flat Dam

    Fresno, Calif., (August 15, 2017) – “After decades of talk and nearly two years of a regional effort to put together a stellar application packet, Fresno County Farm Bureau celebrates the San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority’s official filing of the Temperance Flat Dam bid for state water bond funding.

    “Temperance Flat is an absolute must for the viability of farms throughout the Central Valley.  The lack of a reliable water supply over the past decade has cost this region billions of dollars in agricultural production, economic activity and jobs.  This project will benefit all Californians and Americans who depend on a domestic food supply while ensuring water solutions to our local communities.

    “Fresno County Farm Bureau has been a supporter of Temperance Flat since the beginning.  Our organization was among the many in our communities who marched for water in 2009, and who, again, in 2014, fought for the $2.7 billion in Proposition 1 funding for storage projects including Temperance Flat.  Make no mistake…our statewide coalition specifically sought funding for aboveground storage projects knowing that Temperance Flat is the best project in the state to benefit.

    “The project’s location is ideal for capturing, storing and moving water South-of-Delta while having minimal effect on the environment.  Additionally, with the implementation of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, Temperance Flat will allow local communities and agriculture the opportunity to put additional water supplies back into the ground.  In 2016-2017 alone, as much as 2.5 million-acre feet will be released as flood flows that should have been used for water/irrigation supplies, as well as groundwater recharge, in both this and future years.

    “This project alone is not a cure-all to our local water supply challenges, but it is a necessary step towards building a reliable water future for the Valley.  Fresno County Farm Bureau now asks the California Water Commission to fund this needed project.  It is our hope to see ground broken on this significant infrastructure investment in the not-too-distant future.”

    Statement by CEO Ryan Jacobsen

  • Show your support for Temperance Flat Project

    Fresno, Calif., (July 25, 2017) – Fresno County and the San Joaquin Valley, along with every one of us who live and work here, have reached a deciding moment in our decades-long quest to develop and construct additional surface water storage facilities. Now, each of us needs to step up and help make it a reality!

    Temperance Flat Reservoir would be located on the San Joaquin River in the foothills northeast of Fresno. Its dam would actually be located in the upper portion of the Central Valley Project’s Millerton Lake. It would be a huge project, creating an additional 1.26 million acre-feet of water storage. That would add up to 1.78 million acre feet or be 3.4 times the existing capacity in Millerton Lake behind Friant Dam. It is critically needed.

    We’re asking you to reach out by letter to those in Sacramento and let them know why Temperance Flat is so important.

    It is important that you write your letter in your own words using all or some of the points listed below!  Click here to see FCFB’s letter.

    Please write and mail or e-mail letters to members and staff of the California Water Commission, the agency that will make the decision on whether or not water bond funding will be made available for Temperance Flat.

    The California Water Commission and its staff need to know that the valley favors and vitally requires this project. Tell them that Temperance Flat must be funded and built to:

    • Help address the broad negative effects of California’s water supply crisis on the valley, which requires much improved surface water availability and reliability south of the Delta – as Temperance Flat’s 1.26 million acre-feet of storage would provide – for use by valley farmers, residents and businesses.
    • Capture high flows as they are occurring in big water years with surface storage that will permit capacity for gradual conveyance and percolation without which implementing and meeting the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act’s mandates will not be possible.
    • Greatly improve San Joaquin River flood protection and minimize flood release water losses to the ocean.
    • Provide San Joaquin River environmental enhancement water.
    • Tremendously increase overall regional water management and supply flexibility.

    Here is who to contact, by e-mail or U.S. mail, with your comments:

    Attention: California Water Commissioners and Executive Director

    California Water Commission

    P.O. Box 942836

    Sacramento, California 94236-0001

    Email: CWC@water.ca.gov
    Mr. Joe Yun, Executive Director

    California Water Commission

    P.O. Box 942836

    Sacramento, California 94236-0001

    Email: joseph.yun@water.ca.gov

    If possible, please provide copies to FCFB at info@fcfb.org or 1274 W. Hedges Ave., Fresno, CA 93728.