UPDATE: Unfortunately, the California Water Commission moved forward all three projects on December 15, 2021. Read our full press release. Thank you Friends of the River members for showing up and taking action with us! This fight is not over, stay tuned for more updates.

Deadbeat Dam December

Dams and Reservoirs have devastating impacts on our native fish and rivers. These deadbeat dams steal our wildlife and our money.

In 2014, Californians voted for Proposition 1, which directed $2.7 billion dollars of public money for the so-called "public benefits" of new water storage, reviving the prospects for a series of previously deadbeat dams and projects. Some of those projects are still alive today—and despite a year of climate impacts, pandemic and new research showing more surface water storage harms more than helps—California is still moving forward with these dams.

Friends of the River has several concerns with the projects, and urges you to join us in taking action in the next couple weeks.

Figure 1: Proposed site for Sites Reservoir, taken in November 2021 by FOR supporter Greg.

Sites Reservoir

The current plan for Sites Reservoir is dangerous for our future.

Sites Reservoir will deplete the salmon population and taxpayer pocket books. If the project is allowed to move forward, more water will be taken from the Sacramento River than environmentally responsible. And the taxpayers will foot the bill of between $3-$3.5 billion. This project does not pencil out. This is an expensive project, and Northern California water districts are trying to make a buck selling it to the state of California using your money. To make matters worse, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California said it would require the Delta Conveyance Project (aka, Delta Tunnel or California Water Fix), which adds another $15 billion on top of the original cost.

Del Puerto Canyon Dam

Sucking more water from the Delta is not the solution to California’s water supply challenges.

Del Puerto Canyon would draw more water than allowed under current contracts and strain a delta water system that’s on the brink of collapse. It relies on water pumped out of the troubled Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, as well as the San Francisco Bay Delta. This reservoir will only fuel increased demand among the agricultural interests in the San Joaquin Valley, worsening dependence on the already strained Delta. This project takes inexpensive taxpayer-subsidized federal water, puts it in a reservoir and privatizes it, then sells it to the highest bidder.

It turns our right for clean and healthy water into a money-making commodity allowing access to only those who can afford it.

Pacheco Reservoir Expansion Project

Affordable water is necessary for all residents and this would make water costs too expensive for many.

At $2.12 billion, the proposed new Pacheco Dam is an expensive deadbeat dam in need of cash from state taxpayers. Located in the foothills east of the Santa Clara Valley, Pacheco puts a reservoir on a portion Henry Coe State Park. The Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) is looking at taxpayers to contribute nearly $500 million and their customers will be expected to foot the remainder of the bill. When the Board voted to continue this project, one board member was quoted saying, “All of us should work toward completing this project, as long as it takes and how much it ever costs.” 

Do you want to pay for a deadbeat dam?