PG&E chills rivers to save salmon from hot summers
Published Date: 4/9/2026
Notice
Summary
Pacific Gas and Electric wants to temporarily change water flow rules in Butte County, California, from May to September 2026 to help save cold water and protect salmon during hot months. This affects local rivers and reservoirs on federal lands and aims to balance water use without harming the environment. The government will review the plan and share an environmental report by the end of May.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Lower minimum flows in West Branch Feather
If you live in or use waterways in Butte County, California, Pacific Gas & Electric requests temporarily changing the instantaneous minimum flow below Hendrick Head Dam from 15 cubic feet per second (cfs) in a normal year and 7 cfs in a dry year to 7 cfs over 48 hours regardless of water-year type. The modification would run from May 4, 2026 through September 30, 2026.
Temporary reduced flows in Philbrook Creek
Pacific Gas & Electric requests temporarily changing the instantaneous minimum flow below Philbrook Reservoir from 2 cfs to between 1 and 2 cfs over 48 hours. The modifications would run May 4, 2026 through September 30, 2026, but for Philbrook Creek could start sometime between April 1, 2026 and May 4, 2026 if Philbrook Reservoir storage has not exceeded 2,116 acre-feet by April 1, 2026 and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service support the start.
Action aims to protect spring-run Chinook salmon
The licensee says the temporary variance would preserve cold-water storage in Philbrook Reservoir, increase flow to Butte Creek via the Hendricks Canal, reduce residence time in the DeSabla Forebay, and provide additional water during the hot months to minimize high-temperature effects to Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon and to preserve water for release later in the summer holding period.
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