COMMITTEE AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Environmental and Water Resources Committee
Government Code § 84308 Applies: Yes ☐ No ☒
(If “YES” Complete Attachment A - Gov. Code § 84308)
SUBJECT: title
Receive Update on Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project and Incorporation of Fish and Aquatic Habitat Collaborative Effort (FAHCE) Conservation Measures for Coyote Creek.
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RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation
Receive update on Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project and incorporation of FAHCE conservation measures for Coyote Creek.
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SUMMARY:
The Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project (ADSRP) progress continues with the development of incorporated Conservation Measures for Coyote Creek.
There are several Conservation Measures for Coyote Creek associated with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order Compliance Project (FOCP) and ADSRP to maintain suitable flows in Coyote Creek and enhance natural resources. An update on the ongoing design and construction of the Conservation Measures that are currently moving forward is included below.
- The Coyote Creek Stream Augmentation Fish Protection Measure Project (Chillers) construction contract was awarded and Notice to Proceed was issued on October 4, 2023. During construction of ADSRP, the Chillers will lower the temperature of imported water discharged into Coyote Creek just downstream of the existing dam outlet. The Chillers are expected to be complete in August 2026.
- Just below the Diversion Outlet Structure at the mouth of the Anderson Dam Tunnel (ADT), the south weir in Coyote Creek was completed in December 2025. The north weir was completed in the summer of 2025. The completion of the south weir will allow flows released from Anderson Reservoir through the ADT to be split between the north and south channels of Coyote Creek. The north channel will convey large flow events through the creek, while the south channel will be managed with smaller flows to protect steelhead habitat.
- The Live Oak Restoration Reach is located within the south channel of Coyote Creek and extends downstream past the Boys Ranch, located along the bank of the creek. Designs for this project have included extensive coordination with internal teams and regulatory agencies to continue technical consistency and environmental compliance. Final design is scheduled for early spring 2026, followed by permitting and bid preparation activities. The project will be fully constructed in the dry season (June - October) of 2026. The Live Oak Restoration Reach provides enhanced steelhead habitat that is mitigation for the ADT Project.
- The Draft Feasible Alternative Report for the Ogier Ponds Conservation Measure is complete, and the staff recommended alternative is Alternative 6, which will result in the separation of Coyote Creek from Ogier Ponds for approximately 1.2 miles. The Planning Study for the Conservation Measure is in progress and will be complete in June 2026. As part of this study, geotechnical and hazardous materials investigations were conducted in October 2025 to support the further planning and design of the Conservation Measure. The Conservation Measure is planned for construction in Year 6 of the ADSRP when the reservoir is refilling to minimize the chances of excessive flows moving through the construction area while the Conservation Measure is partially constructed. The Ogier Ponds Conservation Measure offsets environmental impacts from ADSRP.
- The Coyote Percolation Pond Phase II Conservation Measure remains in the design phase, with current efforts focused on finalizing the revised crest gate design and incorporating additional scope for the Pond 10B channel repair and tie-in. The 60% design submittal has been completed and reviewed by both internal and external parties, with comments currently being addressed in preparation for the next design milestone. Coordination with internal teams and regulatory agencies continues to ensure technical consistency and environmental compliance. Final design is scheduled for completion by July 2026, followed by permitting and bid preparation activities. Construction is planned to begin in November 2026, with project completion anticipated by November 2027. The Coyote Percolation Pond Phase II Conservation Measure offsets environmental impacts from the ADSRP.
The Board of Directors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for ADSRP on February 25, 2025, and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was released by FERC for public review on September 12, 2025. Valley Water has obtained the following necessary environmental regulatory permits for the construction of ADSRP to date:
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Final Biological Opinion
• National Marine Fisheries Service Final Biological Opinion
• State Water Resources Control Board 401 Water Quality Certification/Waste Discharge Requirements
• San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) Consistency Certification
Valley Water is currently in the process of obtaining the remaining regulatory permits, as listed below, prior to the start of ADSRP construction.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 404 Permit
• Section 106 National Historic Preservation Act Compliance
• Valley Habitat Plan Certificate of Compliance
• California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Lake and Streambed Alteration ‘Agreement (LSAA)
Staff continue to hold and participate in regular technical and permitting discussions with resource agencies for the FOCP and ADSRP. These meetings include bimonthly interagency meetings, technical sub-group meetings for in-stream design work, and several single-agency meetings to discuss permit conditions and requirements, and answer ongoing questions from the agencies.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACT:
There are no Environmental Justice impacts associated with this item.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1: PowerPoint
UNCLASSIFIED MANAGER:
Manager
Ryan McCarter, 408-630-2983