Tracking the River’s End

Historically, the San Joaquin River has experienced hydrologically dry and wet periods. In more recent history, sections of the river were completely dry due to water diversions. Beginning in 2009, Interim Flows began on the river as a result of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program and the river was periodically fully re-connected. In 2014, the Program transitioned to Restoration Flows -- flows allocated specifically for in-stream use -- the volume of which is based on six water-year types ranging from "wet" to "critical low".

Currently, the San Joaquin River Restoration Area typically has a fully connected river, meaning, it has flowing water from Friant Dam to the confluence with the Merced River using a combined pathway of historic river channel and floodways. However, there are still certain conditions and circumstances where the river becomes disconnected. In the driest of years, little to no water is allocated to the Program for Restoration Flows. In other years, efforts may be undertaken to conserve available Restoration Flows in order to benefit the spring-run Chinook salmon lifecycle. You can read a more in-depth look of why the river was disconnected in 2025 here.