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The Kings
River Fisheries Management Program and its enabling agreements
are the culmination of an exciting and potentially trend-setting
partnership between three agencies and the members of the
public they serve. The Kings River Water Association (KRWA),
Kings River Conservation District (KRCD) and California
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) for the past year have
begun implementing the voluntary Program. The Program will
enhance the river’s habitat and environment through
willing dedication by the Kings River’s water users
of some of their assets. Here are some of the Program’s
most important benefits.
Adaptive Management
The Program identifies desired future fishery conditions
for different Kings River segments but makes it clear that
these are neither requirements nor standards, but rather
general guides for programmatic decisions. Adaptive management
is guiding the Program, adjusting to changing needs, opportunities
and constraints.
Cooperative Strategies
The Program is considering natural variations in water availability
when establishing flow, temperature and reservoir carryover
storage targets. Good science is being used. All parties
have agreed to balance fishery needs with other beneficial
uses, keeping established water rights in focus. Maximum
advantage is being made of conjunctive or sequential water
uses. Consensus and Public Based Decisions and technical
efforts are conducted by consensus among members of the
program’s Executive Policy Committee (ExCom) and Technical
Steering Committee, upon which each agency is represented.
Opportunities for public participation and involvement in
program development are encouraged. A public advisory group
has been created. Its members are extremely active in the
process. All ExCom meetings are open to the public.
Major Features
Temperature Control Pool
KRWA member units immediately modified operations to maintain
Pine Flat Reservoir storage of not less than 100,000 acre-feet,
subject to conditions beyond reasonable control of the KRWA
and its 28 member units in Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties.
This will help maintain a pool of cool water for use in
reservoir and downstream fisheries. Enhanced Flows KRWA
members are providing enhanced minimum flows of at least
100 cubic feet per second at Piedra (in the foothills downstream
from Pine Flat Dam). That amount is twice the current requirement
(under the 1964 KRWA-CDFG agreement, which was superceded)
in most years. These enhanced flows, typically in late summer
and fall months, maintain water temperatures and habitat
from Pine Flat Dam to Fresno Weir (about eight miles downstream)
that are suitable for trout. Flows of between 35-45 c.f.s.
(depending upon the time of year) over Fresno Weir and into
the lower river are required.
Funding and Improvement Projects
KRWA and KRCD are collectively providing $100,000 annually
(in cash and/or in-kind services) during a 10- year period
to install, operate and maintain Kings River physical improvements
to enhance fish and wildlife resources. The CDFG agreed
to seek appropriations, grants and other funding sources
of at least $1 million during the same period. In 2000,
Governor Davis signed the Legislature’s first $100,000
appropriation, as well as $700,000 to be used in constructing
a turbine bypass at the base of Pine Flat Dam (to provide
new water-release temperature controls). During the winter
and spring of 2000, the Program’s first major improvement
project - the Thorburn Spawning Channel near Piedra - was
constructed and became operational.
To Help the Fishery
CDFG will consult with the public and the KRWA and KRCD
in examining the need for new fishing regulations. A supplemental
Kings River trout stocking program will be established.
Improved public river fishing access is planned. Criteria
are being developed with the help of anglers and experts
to assess fishery health and status. Monitoring of program
elements and flow requirements is to be undertaken. The
parties are working cooperatively toward development of
a future final program.
Support For Corps’ Efforts
Support for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continuing Kings
River and Pine Flat Dam fishery improvement program studies
and possible projects is continuing and will be maintained
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