- Reclamation has awarded a $93 million construction contract to NW Construction, Inc.
- The project includes a fish screen and bypass channel at Sack Dam.
- Work fulfills federal obligations under the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement.
- Construction is set to begin in September 2025 and last three years.
Monday, July 21, 2025 — The Bureau of Reclamation announced Thursday that it has awarded a $93 million construction contract to NW Construction, Inc
. for the Arroyo Canal Fish Screen and Sack Dam Fish Bypass Project. This significant infrastructure investment is part of the ongoing San Joaquin River Restoration Program, established under a 2006 legal settlement and authorized by Congress in 2009.
The new project will address a longstanding barrier to salmon migration in California’s San Joaquin River. The Sack Dam, located within the river channel, currently prevents many native fish species—including spring-run Chinook salmon—from completing their life cycle. Juvenile salmon born in the river typically migrate to the ocean for several years before returning upstream to spawn. The existing Sack Dam has interrupted this process.
To meet the terms of the legal settlement, the Bureau of Reclamation will construct a fish bypass channel around the dam. Additionally, a fish screen will be installed at the Arroyo Canal intake to prevent anadromous fish from straying into irrigation infrastructure. The Arroyo Canal is gravity-fed and serves as a major water diversion point for agricultural users in the region.
“This project will allow spring-run Chinook salmon and other salmonids to access upstream sections of the river to complete their lifecycle, while still allowing water users to continue lawful diversions,” said Donald E. Portz, Ph.D., who oversees the San Joaquin River Restoration Program.
Acting Reclamation Commissioner David Palumbo emphasized that the restoration program has been shaped by cooperation between federal and state agencies, environmental organizations, and agricultural water users. “The Settlement and Settlement Act represent a positive partnership,” he said, noting that the initiative supports multi-benefit programs that balance ecosystem health and water supply needs.
Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2025 and is expected to take approximately three years to complete. Once done, the project will support the return of native fish species to historical spawning grounds while maintaining critical water deliveries to farms.
The San Joaquin River Restoration Program originated from a lawsuit settlement involving environmental groups and water agencies. Congress formally authorized the program through the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act in 2009. Its goals include restoring fish populations, improving water management, and ensuring long-term sustainability for the river ecosystem and the communities that depend on it.
Additional information about the restoration program and this specific project is available at www.restoresjr.net.
