 | This article needs to be updated. (March 2022) |
| Temperance Flat Dam | |
|---|---|
 A map showing reservoir outline of the proposed reservoir at RM 274, at an elevation of 985 ft (300 m). The reservoir would partially inundate both Millerton and Kerckhoff reservoirs. | |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Fresno / Madera counties, near Auberry, California |
| Coordinates | 37°02′03″N 119°37′45″W / 37.0342°N 119.6293°W |
| Status | Proposed |
| Construction cost | $2.5–3.3 billion |
| Owner(s) | U.S. Bureau of Reclamation |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Roller-compacted concrete gravity arch |
| Height | 665 ft (203 m)[1] |
| Length | 1,600 ft (490 m) |
| Spillway type | Uncontrolled ogee crest |
| Spillway capacity | 145,000 cu ft/s (4,100 m3/s) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Temperance Flat Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 1,260,000 acre⋅ft (1,550,000 dam3) |
| Catchment area | 1,600 sq mi (4,100 km2) |
| Surface area | 5,700 acres (2,300 ha) |
| Type | Conventional |
| Turbines | 3 |
| Installed capacity | 160 MW |
| Annual generation | 84 GWh |
Temperance Flat Dam is a proposed dam project on the San Joaquin River west of Auberry, California. Construction of the dam is on hold. The dam's main purpose would be to supplement storage capacity in the upper San Joaquin River basin. Under the current proposal, Temperance Flat would slightly more than double water storage on the San Joaquin River from below Friant Dam. The project is highly controversial because it would flood scenic canyons and historic sites along the San Joaquin River, and impact upstream hydroelectricity generation. The Bureau of Reclamation estimates the construction costs will be between US$2.5 billion and $2.6 billion,[2] while other estimates range from $2.96 billion up to $3.35 billion.[3] At 665 feet (203 m), Temperance Flat Dam would be the second highest dam in California, and the fifth tallest dam in the United States.[4]
In February 2014, Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) introduced H.R. 4127, to authorize construction of the Temperance Flat Dam.[5] The Bureau of Reclamation released a draft environmental impact statement for the project in September 2014.[6] The dam was one of three major storage projects funded by a $7.5 billion water bond, passed in November 2014.[7] Of the $7.5 billion bond, $2.7 billion was to be reserved for the three projects, with an estimated $1.25 billion going to fund the Temperance Flat Dam.[8] As of 2020, construction of the dam was put on indefinite hold due to cost and conservation concerns.[8][9][10]
- ^ Figures given in infobox are river mile 274 figures for the 665 ft (203 m) high structure
- ^ Bureau of Reclamation (2014). "Draft Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation Feasibility Report" (PDF). Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific Region. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- ^ Lindt, John (2009). "Temperance Flat Cost Pegged at $3.3 Billion". Valley Voice Newspaper. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
- ^ "California State Water Project-Oroville Facilities-Lake and Dam". Archived from the original on February 21, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
- ^ "H.R.4127 - 113th Congress (2013-2014): Upper San Joaquin River Storage Act of 2014". March 6, 2014.
- ^ "Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Project EIS". Upper San Joaquin River Basin Storage Investigation. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. September 2014. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
- ^ "California voters approve $7.5 billion water bond". ABC7 Los Angeles. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "Temperance Flat Dam moves forward". ABC30 Fresno. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ Henry, Lois (July 3, 2020). "Temperance Flat Dam on indefinite hold after report shows it doesn't pencil out for water users". SJV Water. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "Temperance Flat Dam". The Conservation Alliance. Retrieved March 11, 2023.