Over three days of hearings, January 28–30, the California State Water Resources Control Board heard extensive testimony from across California supporting the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program as a balanced, science-based approach to updating the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan.
State and regional water managers, local elected officials, natural resource agency leaders, scientists, and community members spoke in favor of an approach that moves beyond conflict and toward collaboration—one that protects fish and wildlife while maintaining reliable and affordable water supplies for California’s communities and farms. Opening remarks from state natural resource leaders on the first day of hearings underscored this shared commitment to progress.
Healthy Rivers and Landscapes
The Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program is built around a straightforward but powerful idea: pairing strategically timed river flows with targeted habitat restoration, guided by monitoring and adaptive management. Rather than relying on a single tool, HRL integrates science, on-the-ground projects, and accountability to improve conditions for Chinook salmon and other native species while safeguarding water supplies that support cities, agriculture, and rural communities.
Early results show this approach is working. To date, 35 early implementation projects have been completed across the Bay-Delta watershed, with seven more underway and 16 poised to enter construction later this year. These projects span the American, Feather, Mokelumne, Sacramento, and Yuba rivers and are already delivering measurable ecological benefits.
As Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors, told the Board, HRL reflects two priorities Californians care deeply about: environmental health and a reliable, affordable water supply. The success of 58 early implementation projects demonstrates that when agencies, communities, and landowners work together, the needs of fish and people can be effectively balanced.
What We’re Learning from Early Projects
On the first day of hearings, the Board heard from a panel of experts representing water agencies and partners actively implementing HRL projects, including the Northern California Water Association, the California Department of Water Resources, East Bay Municipal Utility District, the Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee, and the Solano County Water Agency.
Panelists emphasized that collaboration—among water managers, landowners, conservation groups, and fishermen—is essential. Just as important is rigorous data collection and adaptive management, which allow projects to be refined over time and resources to be directed where they will have the greatest impact. Monitoring to date shows improved juvenile salmon habitat and expanded access to spawning and rearing areas.
Success Stories on the Ground
Two early implementation examples highlight the promise of the HRL approach:
Mokelumne River Habitat and Flow Improvements
On the Mokelumne River, targeted habitat restoration paired with carefully timed flow releases has improved spawning capacity and increased the number of returning adult salmon. These improvements are also contributing to the ocean salmon fishery. Science-based modeling continues to guide project design, while strong collaboration among agencies and landowners has accelerated progress. Additional restoration sites are planned through 2026, with growing landowner participation signaling continued momentum.
Putah Creek Record Salmon Returns
In 2025, Putah Creek recorded a historic return of 2,150 spawning Chinook salmon, according to the Solano County Water Agency and UC Davis biologists. This milestone reflects years of coordinated effort—habitat restoration, gravel placement to improve spawning beds, adaptive water management, and regional collaboration layered onto existing dedicated flows. The success underscores a core HRL principle: meaningful recovery comes from integrated actions, not any single measure.
A Way Forward for California
As David Guy, President of the Northern California Water Association, noted during the hearings, the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program offers a new way for California to manage water in concert with its landscapes. By committing to strategic flows, accelerating habitat restoration, and holding ourselves accountable through science and monitoring, Californians can meet the needs of both the environment and local communities.
For the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley, the HRL Program represents a constructive path forward—one that unites cities, agriculture, conservation partners, and rural communities. Representing water needs for 32 million Californians, this broad coalition is working to improve conditions for fish and wildlife while building a more resilient Bay-Delta where rivers, farms, refuges, and communities can thrive together.
For the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley, the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program aligns squarely with Blueprint priorities: protecting water supply reliability for farming and rural communities, supporting a strong and secure food system, and advancing practical, science-based solutions that keep working lands in production.
By integrating strategically timed flows with targeted habitat projects, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all mandates, HRL demonstrates how collaborative, multi-benefit strategies can improve environmental outcomes while preserving the economic foundation of the San Joaquin Valley.
