Water Policy and River Protection

Through our Let It Flow and Use It Wisely campaigns, we are focused on improving water flows, held tightly by local and State of California governmental agencies. With greater flows creating colder water, we can improve Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout populations and habitat conditions for other fish and wildlife in the greater Yosemite region.

Let it Flow

Relicensing of the Don Pedro and La Grange dams along with the State’s Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan update is critical to river flow releases. These parallel processes represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring dam operations up to date with contemporary environmental laws and policies.

Through these regulatory proceedings we advocate for restoration of rearing and migratory habitat in the River’s floodplains and channel and improved flow releases into the lower Tuolumne River

Use it Wisely

Through our Use it Wisely campaign, we advocate for better water management policies, including increased water use efficiency, recycling, and groundwater recharge and storage.

By using water more wisely, we will increase our flexibility to let water flow in the River while maintaining a healthy economy As the population and economy of the Bay Area grow and climate change impacts weather patterns, it is more important than ever for those areas that receive Tuolumne River water to evaluate strategies that have previously received little attention. Old ways of forecasting demand are outdated.

Currently, only about 20% of the River’s natural flow, on average, is released from Don Pedro and La Grange Dams. Salmon populations will meaningfully improve only through habitat restoration coupled with increased flows Habitat restoration without improvements to flow simply won’t work - restored floodplains won’t inundate as frequently or widely as they should, water temperatures will remain too high, and predators will continue to thrive.

We continue to advocate for the complete package of both flow and “non-flow” measures as an integrated approach to restoring the River’s health.

Local water sources have not been thoroughly evaluated. Waste water remains an underutilized opportunity. We seek to ensure more accurate tools are used for future demand projections so that the SFPUC does not place undue pressure on the Tuolumne River Advance-purified recycled water could put waste water to beneficial use; groundwater recharge and conjunctive use can take advantage of extreme wet years when an abundance of water allows for storing more water in the ground to be used during dry times. These are just a few of the many solutions available to us that can propel us into a sustainable water future.

We're always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference and help us protect our precious natural resources. So please, visit our events page at tuolumne.org/events to see what's coming up and sign up for an opportunity to do some good

Another way to support our cause is to become a member of the Trust.

Membership not only supports our work financially, but also gives you access to member-only events, updates on our projects and campaigns, and the opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals who share your passion for the river

Together, we can make a real difference in preserving and improving our natural spaces. Let's work together and create a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come. Join us in our mission to make a lasting impact on the environment and leave a positive mark on our local ecosystems