Agreement to Purchase Water released by the Oakdale Irrigation District and the South San Joaquin Irrigation District for diversion and use by the San Luis &

Summary

SCH Number
2026090290
Public Agency
Tuolumne County
Document Title
Agreement to Purchase Water released by the Oakdale Irrigation District and the South San Joaquin Irrigation District for diversion and use by the San Luis &
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/8/2026
Document Description
[PROJECT TITLE CONTINUED:] Delta Mendota Water Authority and the California Department of Water Resources (Project). Oakdale Irrigation District (OID) and South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID), collectively referred to as “Districts”, will release up to 50,000 acre-feet of water at Goodwin Dam (Project) in addition to water releases required to be made by the United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) at New Melones Reservoir to benefit migratory fish on the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Rivers. The water proposed to be released will be purchased by the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The water OID and SSJID release will be surplus to the irrigation demand of each district. The release will occur at Goodwin Dam during April and May of each year between 2026 and 2030 and will be coordinated to assist and supplement Reclamation’s releases in meeting their legal obligations of the 1995 Water Quality Control Plan for the April-May pulse flow objective at Vernalis. The volume of water each year is dependent on the hydrological year type, and is as follows: Above Normal, up to 50,000 acre-feet Below Normal, up to 50,000 acre-feet Dry, up to 50,000 acre-feet Critically Dry, up to 20,000 acre-feet The Project agreement may be renewed for an additional 5 years upon written notification by the parties. The delivery volume above would remain the same if renewed. The Project will be subordinate to the rights of: 1) the Cities of Lathrop, Manteca, Escalon and Tracy pursuant to each city’s Water Supply Development Agreement with SSJID; 2) the Chicken Ranch Rancheria Me-Wuk Indians of California under their Emergency Water Supply Agreement with the Districts, and; 3) the landowners outside the boundaries of OID who are enrolled in OID’s 10-Year Out-of-District Water Sale Program. If the end-of-month September storage level in New Melones Reservoir is projected to be below 700,000 acre-feet during any year of the Project term, the parties shall consult with Reclamation on an agreeable release amount for that year. The Districts, in consultation with Reclamation and the Stanislaus Watershed Team, shall be responsible for determining the schedule of the delivery. The released water will be diverted by the SLDMWA and State Water Project Contractors (SWP) at the Jones and Banks pumping stations at a 1:1 ratio.

Contact Information

Name
Scot Moody
Agency Name
Oakdale Irrigation District
Job Title
General Manager
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant

Location

Cities
Multiple Cities
Counties
Alameda, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne
Regions
Northern California
Waterways
Stanislaus River, Goodwin Dam, San Joaquin River, Bay-Delta, San Luis Reservoir
Other Information
This project consists of multiples cities in the following counties- Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Alameda, Contra Costa, and Merced.

Notice of Exemption

Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
14 Cal. Code of Regulations, Sec. 15301 Class 1, Existing Facilities
Reasons for Exemption
The Project utilizes existing public facilities for the movement of water per the agreement. There will be negligible or no expansion of existing diversion and conveyance facilities as a result of the Project.
County Clerk
Tuolumne

Attachments

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