Fish and Water Operations

Each year Permittee coordinates with CDFW, NMFS, USFWS, Reclamation and other restoration entities to identify the highest priority CHNWR and CHNSR restoration and enhancement projects for the operations mitigation funding, gives consideration to genetic management and refugial population establishment for spring-run, and obtains CDFW approval of the selected projects.

Twin Cities Complex

Not StartedDue 2027-02-121 of 3 done

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In ProgressDue 2026-12-051 of 3 done

Byron Tract Forebay

On HoldDue 2027-01-301 of 3 done

The Permittee contributes $6,000,000 to support and augment the Longfin Smelt Culture Program established under ITP 2081-2023-054-00, governed by the Permittee and CDFW with Reclamation and USFWS. The funds are used for closing the LFS life cycle in captivity, developing and implementing a genetic management strategy and plan for the refuge population, and supporting that genetically managed refugial population as a source of research fish.

Byron Tract Forebay

Not StartedDue 2026-06-01

At least two years before initiating Phase 1 operations, Permittee works with CDFW to use hydrologic models such as CalSim 3 and DSM2-PTM together with the Longfin Smelt Life Cycle and Science Plan models to simulate operating scenarios that reduce Project exports during high flow events when larval and juvenile longfin smelt abundance peaks in the upper estuary, including March 1 to May 1. Permittee selects the scenario that best achieves the COA 11.115 biological criteria and obtains CDFW…

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

Completed

As part of developing and finalizing projects to offset the impacts of Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations on white sturgeon, Permittee and CDFW collaboratively run the WS Life Cycle Model to re-evaluate Project impacts against the analyses used to support the ITP, and document that re-evaluation before the offset projects are finalized.

Twin Cities Complex

In Progress

Before in-water construction begins the Permittee works with CDFW to identify and fund projects offsetting Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations impacts on white sturgeon, with final project selection subject to CDFW approval. All CDFW-approved projects are complete before Phase 1 Operations begin.

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

Not StartedDue 2026-05-29

Exclude fish from the construction zone, capture them by approved methods, hold and handle them appropriately, and release them at the approved location within the salvage window.

Intake C — North Delta

Completed

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

OverdueDue 2026-10-31

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

Completed

The Designated Representative or Designated Fisheries Biologist notifies CDFW at least seven days before site-specific dewatering expected to require fish salvage, or before any activity that could isolate fish such as cofferdam installation.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In Progress

The Fisheries Biologist notifies Permittee and CDFW within one business day when fish salvage is complete and construction can recommence.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

Not Started

Permittee develops a fish rescue and salvage plan with CDFW and submits it in the appropriate Phase Authorization Package for written approval, and does not initiate Covered Activities, dewatering or fish salvage until the final plan is approved in writing.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

Not StartedDue 2026-10-10

Before fish rescue workers access the work site, Permittee provides safety training and assigns at least one Designated Fisheries Biologist to each fish salvage team. Electrofishing is staffed as one or two teams of three to four people, each with a unit operator and two or three netters. The product is a dated safety-training roster and a salvage team roster for the salvage event.

Intake C — North Delta

Completed

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

Completed

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

Not StartedDue 2026-09-01

If the GGS is found recently deceased (as evidenced by lack of odor or decomposition), the carcass shall be immediately bagged, labeled, and preserved in a freezer.

During dewatering activities at the north Delta intakes or during any other dewatering activity that could potentially impact Covered Fish Species, a Fisheries Biologist(s) shall remain onsite to observe the process and remove Covered Species that were not successfully salvaged prior to dewatering (see Condition of Approval 11.35).

The Designated Fisheries Biologist(s) shall place dead Covered Fish Species in sealed plastic bags with labels indicating species, location, date, and time of collection, store them on ice, freeze as soon as possible, and provide the frozen specimens to CDFW.

a 0.5-inch portion of the tail tip shall be removed and placed in a labeled tissue tube with 95% ethanol. The carcass shall be immediately bagged, labeled, and preserved in a freezer.

Adjust the fish screen baffles and retest within seven days of a hydraulic test showing non-compliance with the CDFW and NMFS fish screening criteria.

Twin Cities Complex

In Progress

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In Progress

Byron Tract Forebay

Not Started

Permittee completes the intake modeling series: a 3D mathematical model of intake structure and tee screen hydraulic performance from the Sacramento River to the sedimentation basin, a physical reduced-scale model of that same reach informed by the 3D results, a 3D model of the intake tee screens including baffle cylinders, and a physical reduced-scale lab model of one tee screen. The models confirm hydraulic performance, recommend configuration refinements and refine baffle configuration for…

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

Not StartedDue 2026-05-20

Permittee conducts at least three hydraulic tests of the north Delta intake fish screens during Phase 1 or Phase 2 operations, one at low river flow, one during a high diversion flow event and one under normal operating conditions, following NMFS 2023 Performing Hydraulic Evaluations guidance, and visually inspects the screens during each test to confirm approach and sweeping velocity compliance.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

OverdueDue 2026-06-03

Byron Tract Forebay

Not StartedDue 2026-07-17

Permittee convenes a working group of Permittee, CDFW, Reclamation, USFWS and NMFS representatives to evaluate a fish deterrence or guidance system for the north Delta intake structure designs, coordinating with the Guidance Structure Evaluation Working Group and consulting fish guidance manufacturers and leading experts.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In ProgressDue 2026-09-30

Permittee uses working group input to develop a Fish Guidance System Study Plan for CDFW review, implements the approved plan through literature evaluation and/or field studies, and provides CDFW a recommended approach for intake design no less than one year before 30% Project design is finalized.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

Not StartedDue 2026-12-18

Byron Tract Forebay

On HoldDue 2026-08-28

Intake B — North Delta

Completed

Permittee prepares the Refugia Design and Field Study Plan for fish refugia at the north Delta intakes, building a baseline from existing monitoring and the In-water Preconstruction Baseline Monitoring and using all available monitoring data to inform refugia design before and during intake construction. The plan evaluates refugia characteristics for Covered Fish Species throughout engineering design refinement so refugial designs are considered before refinements that would preclude them, and…

Twin Cities Complex

Not StartedDue 2026-07-16

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

OverdueDue 2026-12-02

Permittee implements the CDFW-approved screen impingement study plan during Phase 1 and Phase 2 Operations, collecting impinged fish data including fork length, evaluating seasonal variation in impingement and measuring the environmental covariates of velocity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and temperature.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

Not StartedDue 2026-04-21

Byron Tract Forebay

Not StartedDue 2026-03-16

Intake B — North Delta

Completed

At least annually after Phase 1 Operations begin, and in conjunction with the visual screen inspections, Permittee inspects and quantifies sediment deposition in front of the tee screen bases at both north Delta intakes and, within 30 days of each inspection, provides CDFW the deposition estimates and an assessment of sediment management device effectiveness and potential screen performance impacts.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In ProgressDue 2026-06-091 of 3 done

Byron Tract Forebay

Not StartedDue 2026-10-071 of 3 done

Intake B — North Delta

In ProgressDue 2027-03-061 of 3 done

Permittee notifies CDFW in writing within one business day if the fish screens are not operational at either north Delta intake.

Byron Tract Forebay

Not Started

Intake B — North Delta

In Progress

Intake C — North Delta

Not Started

Remove and clean the North Delta intake fish screens approximately every six months.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In ProgressDue 2026-07-171 of 3 done

Byron Tract Forebay

Not StartedDue 2027-06-092 of 3 done

Within 30 days of each annual sediment deposition inspection at the tee screen bases, Permittee provides CDFW deposition estimates and an assessment of sediment management device effectiveness and potential impacts to fish screen performance.

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

On HoldDue 2026-07-161 of 3 done

After each qualifying event affecting screen operations or approach velocity, Permittee initiates additional hydraulic testing of the affected north Delta intake fish screens within two months, or on a schedule CDFW approves, and reports the results.

Byron Tract Forebay

Overdue

Intake B — North Delta

Not Started

Permittee completes implementation of the CDFW-approved Fish Guidance System Study Plan through literature evaluation and/or field studies and provides a recommended fish guidance and deterrence approach for the north Delta intakes to CDFW no less than one year before 30% Project design is finalized, so the results can inform design refinements consistent with COA 10.18.2.

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

OverdueDue 2026-08-25

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

Completed

After each north Delta intake fish screen hydraulic test, including any retest following baffle adjustment, Permittee provides all hydraulic testing data to CDFW within 72 hours and submits the full hydraulic testing report — methods, screen condition, baffle positions, measured approach and sweeping velocities, with data in long-format .csv per screen — within thirty days of the test.

Intake C — North Delta

Not Started

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

Not Started

Permittee prepares a Hydraulic Testing Plan demonstrating that the north Delta intake fish screens operate within CDFW and NMFS fish screening criteria, submitting the draft no less than six months and the final plan no less than one month before Phase 1 Operations. The plan details methods, procedures, equipment, probe positioning, measurement locations and order, the diversion rate range, head loss method and acceptance criteria for a tuned screen.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

Not StartedDue 2026-08-02

Byron Tract Forebay

In ProgressDue 2026-09-11

Intake B — North Delta

Not StartedDue 2026-08-06

Permittee develops a study plan to collect impinged-fish data including fork length, evaluate seasonal variation in impingement and measure velocity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and temperature covariates. The draft goes to CDFW no less than six months and the final plan no less than one month before Phase 1 Operations begins.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

OverdueDue 2026-07-29

Permittee shall employ additional actions such as the decrease of diversion rates at the north Delta intakes, as needed, to maintain Va.

During diversions at the north Delta intakes, Permittee shall minimize localized Va by spreading the diversion as much as possible across intakes and fish screens, and by opening more fish screens than would be minimally required to meet the Va criterion.

Permittee shall only divert when the north Delta intake B and C fish screens are operating according to the CDFW 2000 Fish Screening Criteria and the NMFS 2023 Anadromous Salmonid Passage Design Manual.50, 51 In order to comply with CDFW and NMFS fish screening criteria, Permittee shall operate the north Delta intakes not to exceed the maximum uniform approach velocity (Va) of 0.2 feet per second across the wetted surface of each individual fish screen.

Permittee shall close the gate behind a screen unit and not divert water through that screen unit at north Delta intake B or C at any time unless the screen unit is fully functional.

Permittee shall perform visual inspections of the north Delta intake screens at least several times per year (using a diver and/or underwater inspection surveillance) to evaluate screen integrity, the effectiveness of the cleaning mechanism, and potential impingement of Covered Fish Species.

Permittee evaluates a wide range of potential approaches for operating the north Delta diversions jointly with the existing south Delta export facilities, as required by the COA 10.21.8 optimization study, and documents the evaluated approaches and results so they can inform joint operating decisions.

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

In ProgressDue 2026-07-21

Permittee works with CDFW to develop a Hydraulic Data Plan that uses the new real-time monitoring station, the upstream stations in Project Description Section 20.2.1 and existing stations to implement the operating criteria of COA 11.109 and 11.111. The plan accounts for non-Project diversions between the intakes and the bypass-flow station, real-time measurement accuracy, and pump and intake screen constraints, and is subject to CDFW approval.

Twin Cities Complex

OverdueDue 2026-06-01

When a temporary change to the COA 11.111 operating criteria is contemplated for the coming week, NDDMT staff prepare a risk assessment anticipating the impacts on Covered Fish Species if that change were approved, using Components A through G and the CDFW-approved data sources, and provide it as input to the decision.

Twin Cities Complex

In Progress

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In Progress

Byron Tract Forebay

Completed

During In-water Preconstruction Monitoring Permittee convenes a team of biologists and hydrologic engineers with CDFW and submits a draft Joint Operations Optimization Study Plan within 18 months of convening, describing modeling studies of joint north and south Delta diversion scenarios. A final draft follows within six months of CDFW comments, and the approved modeling studies are implemented in time to inform ITP condition changes before Phase 2 Operations.

Twin Cities Complex

In ProgressDue 2026-03-09

Permittee shall operate SMSCG for additional days, beyond requirements included in the 2024 ITP, between June 1 and October 31.

December – May: Default operations shall adhere to operating criteria described in Condition of Approval 11.111.

Permittee shall monitor and manage Project operations in close coordination with CDFW staff during Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations as described in Condition of Approval 11.110.

Permittee shall not divert from the north Delta intakes unless an instantaneous bypass of Sacramento River flow of 10,000 cfs is maintained below the north Delta intake C. • Permittee shall not divert from the north Delta intakes unless a minimum bypass 25-hour running average Sacramento River flow of 6,000 cfs is maintained downstream of the north Delta intake C.

Permittee shall limit combined SWP water diversions at the existing south Delta facilities and the north Delta intakes to the amount allowed under Condition of Approval 11.114.

Total Project diversions from the north Delta intakes shall not exceed ten percent (10 %) of the 25-hour running average Sacramento River flow at any time. • Total north Delta intake diversions may take between 10% - 12% of the 25-hour running average Sacramento River flow, if approved through Condition of Approval 11.111.5 in response to a risk assessment (Condition of Approval 11.111.3), demonstrating that increased diversions will not cause Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria to be…

By adhering to the requirements in Conditions of Approval 11.109, 11.110, 11.111, 11.112, 11.113, and 11.114 Permittee shall manage diversions at the north Delta intakes at all times to minimize increases in the timing, magnitude, frequency, or duration of flow reversals in the Sacramento River at the Georgiana Slough junction above pre-Project levels.

Sacramento River flow at Freeport between 10,900 – 15,000 cfs: Diversions shall not exceed 900 cfs plus 50% of the Sacramento River flow at Freeport above 11,000 cfs.

Permittee shall implement the final CDFW-approved operational scenario during Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations.

Shifting of exports from south Delta export facilities to north Delta export facilities during balanced conditions shall be limited by the following: • Export/inflow (E/I) ratio in D-1641; • Operating criteria described in Conditions of Approval 11.109, 11.111, 11.112, and 11.114; • Maintaining combined SWP and CVP south Delta diversions greater than 3,000 cfs; or • Maintaining total combined SWP diversion at the south Delta and north Delta diversions less than or equal to 7,180 cfs, excluding…

Permittee shall not change upstream reservoir operations to move additional stored water through the north Delta intakes.

Permittee shall not divert from the north Delta intakes while the Delta Cross Channel Gates are open.

When balanced conditions are declared, consistent with COA, and the CVP and SWP are collectively withdrawing water from storage, Permittee shall not conduct diversions at the north Delta intakes when combined south Delta exports are less than or equal to 3,000 cfs.

During Intake B and C Operational Performance Testing and Pump Maintenance Activities, Permittee shall not divert more than 500 cfs at any time, the maximum rate needed to conduct Intake B and C Operational Performance Testing and Pump Maintenance Activities, during Phase 1 Operations.

Phase 2 Operations are authorized for no more than one calendar year.

95% of CHNWR and CHNSR have exited the Delta past Chipps Island as determined through Condition of Approval 11.111.5; o Daily mean water temperature at Prisoner’s Point (CDEC station PPT) is > 22.2oC for seven days (does not have to be consecutive) in June.

Throughout In-water Preconstruction and In-water Construction Monitoring, Permittee collaborates with CDFW to evaluate whether existing modeling tools can implement the Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria in real-time operations, then refines those tools or develops new ones. The delivered tools must be able to evaluate the criteria in real time to support risk assessments and collaborative decision-making during Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations.

Intake C — North Delta

Completed

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

Not StartedDue 2026-07-29

Every model used to assess compliance with the Delta smelt, longfin smelt, winter-run and spring-run Chinook salmon and white sturgeon Biological Criteria is documented and submitted to CDFW, and Permittee obtains CDFW approval before using it to demonstrate compliance.

Byron Tract Forebay

On HoldDue 2026-12-06

Intake B — North Delta

Not StartedDue 2026-10-15

Permittee shall ensure that Covered Activities, including construction and operations, do not result in: • A greater than 0.36 probability of reducing DS or LFS larvae exiting past Chipps Island, and instead becoming entrained in the north Delta intakes or central and south Delta, by greater than or equal to 3% as a result of Covered Activities relative to baseline conditions; and • A greater than 0.40 probability of reducing the LFS Fall Midwater Trawl Index by more than 3% as a result of…

Permittee shall ensure that Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations do not result in a net negative change in DS or LFS population growth rate relative to baseline conditions as measured using the DS and LFS life cycle models required by Condition of Approval 10.21.2.

Permittee shall ensure that Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria are met during Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations (Conditions of Approval 11.115, 11.116, and 11.117).

Permittee shall 1) fund the development and refinement of the following life cycle models; and 2) provide data to consider in life cycle model updates to quantify the effects of Covered Activities (construction, operations, and maintenance) through Phase 2 Operations and ensure compliance with Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria (Conditions of Approval 11.115, 11.116, and 11.117)

Permittee shall ensure that Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations do not result in entrainment of juvenile CHNWR or CHNSR into the north Delta intakes.

Permittee, in coordination with CDFW, uses information from the COA 10.18, 10.19, 10.20 and 10.21 studies to conduct new modeling and evaluate how impacts to Covered Fish Species differ when the Sacramento River hydrograph is ascending versus descending, with particular attention to January and February. The evaluation is completed with CDFW by 2030 and supports any alternative January and February operating approach, which would require consultation with CDFW and an ITP amendment.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

Not StartedDue 2026-11-23

Byron Tract Forebay

OverdueDue 2026-08-19

Permittee uses existing Delta monitoring surveys (20mm, EMP, Fall Midwater Trawl, Summer Townet, Fish Restoration Program) plus new surveys near the north Delta intakes to quantify the distribution and abundance of Covered Fish Species food web resources in reaches that Project operations could affect. Surveys run annually for at least five years before Phase 1 Operations and the resulting baseline data feed the life cycle models used against the Biological Criteria.

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

Not StartedDue 2027-02-062 of 3 done

Permittee develops and implements the Georgiana Slough hydrodynamics, food web and larval entrainment, tidal wetland restoration efficacy and smelt spawning habitat studies, funds refinement of the Covered Fish Species life cycle models, and carries the results into those models to evaluate Project effects against the Biological Criteria through Phase 2 Operations.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In ProgressDue 2026-06-18

Byron Tract Forebay

Not StartedDue 2026-12-19

Permittee develops with CDFW, funds and runs the Migration and Survival, Predation, and Abundance and Distribution studies at and around the north Delta intakes: installing and maintaining telemetry arrays, ADCPs and fixed sonar; capturing, tagging and subsampling predatory fish; and running near-field and far-field abundance surveys annually through Phase 2 Operations Monitoring. The studies deliver interim and final results establishing baseline and Project effects on DS, LFS, CHNWR, CHNSR…

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

Not StartedDue 2026-03-18

Byron Tract Forebay

In ProgressDue 2026-10-24

Permittee surveys the bathymetry of the Sacramento River from upstream of Intake B near Scribner Bend through one mile downstream of Intake C to detect deposition or scour that could change the stage-discharge relationship. Surveys follow high flow events with bypass flows above 35,000 cfs, occur no fewer than four times before Phase 1 Operations, and each survey is reported within 120 days of completion.

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

Not StartedDue 2026-11-131 of 3 done

Twin Cities Complex

On HoldDue 2026-06-251 of 3 done

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

Not StartedDue 2026-10-172 of 3 done

Permittee develops with CDFW and implements the sediment and turbidity, harmful algal bloom, selenium bioaccumulation and mercury study plans, running them from the preconstruction baseline period through Phase 2 Operations and evaluating results with the Covered Fish Species life cycle models against the Biological Criteria. Each study carries an adaptive element that expands effort if impacts are detected.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In ProgressDue 2026-07-17

Byron Tract Forebay

Completed

Permittee develops with CDFW a Covered Fish Species Abundance and Distribution Study Plan establishing baseline densities and the seasonal and geographic distribution of all life stages of DS, LFS, CHNWR, CHNSR and WS in river reaches affected by construction and operations, and submits it for CDFW approval before the study is initiated.

Twin Cities Complex

In ProgressDue 2026-04-09

Permittee develops with CDFW a Migration and Survival Study Plan using acoustic telemetry to establish baseline behavior and survival of CHNWR, CHNSR and WS in affected river reaches and to evaluate change from that baseline through in-water construction and Phase 1 and Phase 2 Operations monitoring. The plan is submitted for CDFW approval before the study is run.

Twin Cities Complex

Not StartedDue 2026-11-25

Permittee develops with CDFW a Predation Study Plan assessing baseline predation risk to DS, LFS, CHNWR, CHNSR and WS in river reaches affected by construction and operations, including areas immediately adjacent to the north Delta intakes, and submits it for CDFW approval before the study begins.

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

In ProgressDue 2026-07-26

Twin Cities Complex

Completed

Permittee develops with CDFW a Sediment and Turbidity Monitoring Study Plan that establishes baseline sediment transfer in affected river reaches, evaluates change from that baseline through construction and Phase 1 and Phase 2 Operations monitoring, and sets performance criteria under which the sediment load entering the Delta does not decrease from baseline.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

OverdueDue 2026-06-09

Byron Tract Forebay

OverdueDue 2026-03-17

Intake B — North Delta

On HoldDue 2026-03-05

If the Sediment and Turbidity Monitoring Study indicates the sediment performance criteria will not be met, Permittee develops a Sediment Reintroduction Plan that uses modeling to select reintroduction locations and sediment composition from sources such as intake sediment lagoons or Clifton Court Forebay, and implements the final plan after CDFW approval.

Byron Tract Forebay

In Progress

Intake B — North Delta

Not Started

At least one year before in-water construction begins, Permittee funds and implements, with CDFW, a study within the Abundance and Distribution Study that determines where Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt spawn in the Sacramento River, the share of adults spawning upstream of the north Delta intakes, bank and low-velocity habitat use for adult and larval migration, and the substrate, velocity and salinity characteristics of spawning habitat.

Intake C — North Delta

Completed

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

In ProgressDue 2026-12-17

Permittee funds, initiates and implements Covered Fish Species monitoring and science for DS, LFS, CHNWR, CHNSR and WS, beginning with at least five years of In-water Preconstruction Baseline Monitoring before in-water construction and continuing through In-water Construction, Phase 1 Operations and Phase 2 Operations Monitoring. Aquatic conditions assessments for each period feed the Phase 2 Authorization Package and the Final Mitigation Report.

Bouldin Island Geotechnical Exploration

In ProgressDue 2026-09-20

Byron Tract Forebay

In ProgressDue 2026-06-28

Permittee delivers a report documenting the results of each Sacramento River bathymetric survey adjacent to the north Delta intakes within 120 days of completing that survey.

Intake C — North Delta

Not Started

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

Completed

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

Not Started

Within twelve months of permit issuance Permittee initiates development of a draft Covered Fish Species Monitoring and Science Plan with CDFW, then submits the final draft for review and approval no less than six months before the plan's first deadline and no less than five years before in-water construction begins. No study in the plan may start before CDFW approves it.

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

Not StartedDue 2026-11-01

Twin Cities Complex

Completed

Permittee shall assess changes in CHNWR and CHNSR route entrainment by reach within the lower Sacramento River and through the Delta between baseline conditions established during In-water Preconstruction Baseline Monitoring and In-water Construction Monitoring, and Phase 1 and Phase 2 Operations Monitoring using the Hydrodynamics at Georgiana Slough Monitoring Study and the Far-field Routing and Survival Study (Conditions of Approval 10.21.1 and 10.19.1).

Permittee shall work collaboratively with CDFW to use the results from science and monitoring required in Conditions of Approval 10.18, 10.19, 10.20, 10.21, 10.26, and 10.27 to 1) ensure that impacts to Covered Fish Species during Phase 2 Operations do not exceed Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria, and 2) prepare for future regulatory processes that may address long-term authorizations for Project operations.

Permittee shall incorporate near-field and far-field impacts from changes in food web resources and Covered Fish Species entrainment into Covered Fish Species life cycle models to evaluate effects of Project operations on DS, LFS, CHNWR, CHNSR, and WS populations and ensure compliance with the Covered Fish Species Biological Criteria (Conditions of Approval 11.115, 11.116, and 11.117).

Permittee shall work collaboratively with CDFW to model anticipated changes in the spatial and temporal extent of DS suitable habitat in Suisun Marsh and Grizzly Bay as a result of Phase 1 and Phase 2 operations.

No less than three years before Phase 1 Operations, Permittee collaborates with CDFW to develop a process for sharing hydrologic and operational data in real time, covering at minimum the data and analyses used to determine balanced or excess conditions, to track upstream releases under the COA 11.112 exceptions and to calculate carriage water savings. The final process is subject to CDFW approval and is in use from the start of Phase 1 Operations.

Byron Tract Forebay

Not StartedDue 2026-06-30

Intake B — North Delta

OverdueDue 2026-09-08

Intake C — North Delta

In ProgressDue 2026-03-11

Permittee funds, installs and maintains a real-time monitoring station downstream of north Delta Intake C, equipped like the CDEC Sacramento River at Hood station, before In-water Preconstruction Baseline Monitoring begins, and provides the data to CDFW in real time at 15-minute increments.

Byron Tract Forebay

Completed

Permittee makes all raw data and modeling used by the North Delta Diversion Monitoring Team available to CDFW within ten days of a CDFW request.

Intake C — North Delta

Overdue

Throughout Phase 1 Operations, Permittee works collaboratively with CDFW, hands over each collected dataset promptly after QA/QC, and coordinates with CDFW on the data analyses.

Southern Forebay & Pumping Plant

Not StartedDue 2026-08-17

Twin Cities Complex

Completed

Permittee develops the North Delta Diversion Monitoring Team charter with CDFW describing membership, roles and processes, submits drafts to CDFW no less than eight months before Phase 1 Operations starts, and incorporates CDFW comments into a final charter subject to CDFW approval.

Byron Tract Forebay

Not StartedDue 2026-06-07

Intake B — North Delta

OverdueDue 2026-11-22

Intake C — North Delta

Completed

The NDDMT shall begin to conduct risk assessments the last week of October, to look ahead to conditions starting in November, and meet weekly throughout November.

The NDDMT shall include representatives from Permittee and CDFW. Upon mutual agreement, representatives from Reclamation, USFWS, and NMFS staff may also attend.

Permittee may convene the NDDMT and conduct weekly Project operations risk assessments as needed from December – June each year.

Permittee and CDFW WOMT representatives shall then confer and attempt to reach a resolution and agreed-upon Project operations.

The NDDMT shall begin to conduct risk assessments the last week of October, to look ahead to conditions starting in November, and meet weekly throughout November.

Permittee completes a 3D hydraulic model of Sacramento River flow, stream trajectories and velocities under varying flows, stages and diversion rates, with a model boundary at least one intake structure length upstream and downstream of each intake site, and a companion sediment transport model estimating erosion and deposition around each north Delta intake. The final models and associated reports go to CDFW before 30% Project design is completed, and are used with bathymetric survey data to…

Byron Tract Forebay

In ProgressDue 2026-05-03

Permittee delivers to CDFW the final Sacramento River hydraulic model, the sediment transport model and the intake structure mathematical hydraulic model with their associated reports before completing 30% Project design, and the COA 10.25.2 through 10.25.4 models and reports before completing 60% Project design.

Intake C — North Delta

Completed

Bethany Reservoir Aqueduct

On HoldDue 2026-11-28