Grassland Bypass Project

Grassland Bypass Project

Prior to 1996 when the interim project was implemented, subsurface agricultural drainage water was conveyed through channels used to deliver water to wetland habitat areas which limited Reclamation's ability to deliver fresh water to the wetlands. The Project will continue to consolidate subsurface drainage flows on a regional basis (from the 97,000-acre Grassland Drainage Area (GDA) after source control measures apply the drainage to salt tolerant crops to reduce the volume, utilize a 4-mile channel to place it into the Federal San Luis Drain (Drain) at a point near Russell Avenue (Milepost 105.72, check 19) and then utilize a 28-mile segment of the Drain to convey the remaining drainage flows around wetland habitat areas, after which it is discharged to Mud Slough and subsequently reaches the San Joaquin River. The project has reduced the volume of agricultural drainage water discharged from the GDA, resulting in significant environmental improvements to wetlands water supply channels and the San Joaquin River. The project includes wetland enhancement as mitigation for discharges to Mud Slough. The project also includes a monitoring program with biological, water quality, and sediment management components. Results of the monitoring program are reviewed by an Oversight Committee quarterly, or as necessary, to implement the Use Agreement.

Los Banos

Fresno, Merced, Stanislaus