Tisdale Weir Rehabilitation and Fish Passage Project

Weir Rehabilitation

• Structural Grouting: Stabilize the foundation with grout 
• Abutments: Replace failed north and south abutment walls 
• Resurface: Grind and refinish weir surfaces with erosion-resistant coating 
• Access: Provide dedicated access for regular maintenance 
• Energy Dissipation Basin: Replace eroded energy dissipation basin with a new multi-purpose design to dissipate flow energy, support fish passage, and reduce operations and maintenance (O&M) 

Fish Passage Improvement

• Fish Passage Notch: Construct a notch through the weir for fish passage 
• Connection Channel: Construct a channel from Sacramento River to the notch 
• Operable Gate: Construct an operable gate at the notch to control flow 
• Energy Dissipation / Fish Collection Basin: Replace existing basin with a new design that provides better conditions for passage and reduces stranding 
• Equipment Pad: Construct an elevated equipment pad for maintenance and repair of the notch and gate 
• Controls Building: Construct a control building for electrical, mechanical, and controls equipment for the gate as well as communications and other equipment for operations and various forms of monitoring 

The proposed project would address key food risk concerns due to the aging and deteriorating condition of the weir. Installation of fish passage facilities will allow fish to return to the Sacramento River as flow to the bypass recedes. Collectively, these outcomes support the primary goal of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) to improve food risk management while achieving specific supporting goals including improving O&M, promoting multi-benefit projects, promoting ecosystem functions, and addressing key stressors such as fish passage barriers. 

Schedule 

If the proposed project is approved, the current schedule is to award a contract for construction in 2022 for completion in 2023.

On October 13, 2021, the Department of Water Resources certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), approved the Tisdale Weir Rehabilitation and Fish Passage Project, and filed a Notice of Determination.

• Final Environmental Impact Report for the Tisdale Weir Rehabilitation and Fish Passage Project 

• Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) 
• Appendix A. NOP and Comment Letters
• Appendix B. IS Checklist
• Appendix C. TUFLOW Model Results and CEQA Impacts Analysis
• Appendix D. Air Quality Calculations and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Plan Consistency Determination
• Appendix E. Biological Resources Survey Report
• Appendix F. Fish Passage Analysis Technical Memorandum
• Appendix G. Cultural Resources and Native American Correspondence
• Appendix H. Sediment Budget Analysis Technical Memorandum
• Appendix I. Flood Hydrologic and Hydraulic System Analysis Technical Memorandum
• Appendix J. Engineering Feasibility Report
• Notice of Availability of the DEIR 

The public review period for this DEIR begins November 20, 2020, and has been extended until February 1, 2021, at 5 p.m. The DEIR is available to download on this webpage.

Paper copies of the DEIR are available for review during normal business hours at:

California Department of Water Resources 
Division of Flood Management, Flood Maintenance Office 
3310 El Camino Avenue, Room 140 
Sacramento, CA 95821.

Public Meeting

DWR hosted a virtual public meeting for the DEIR on December 8, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The meeting provided information on the CEQA process and the DEIR and offered an opportunity to provide verbal comments on the DEIR. 

• Presentation from public meeting 

Submit Comments

Comments regarding the DEIR should be submitted in writing to: 
California Department of Water Resources, Division of Flood Management
Attn: Stephanie Ponce, Environmental Scientist
3310 El Camino Avenue, Room 140
Sacramento, CA 95821 

or via email at TisdaleWeirRehabProject@water.ca.gov

Comments are due no later than 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Monday, February 1, 2021. 

If comments are provided via email, please include the project title in the subject line, attach comments in Microsoft Word format, and include the commenter’s U.S. Postal Service mailing address.

PRIVACY NOTE: All comments received will be made available for public review in their entirety, including the names and addresses of the respondents. Individual respondents may request that their name and/or address be withheld from public disclosure. DWR will honor such requests to the extent allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment.