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Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin Groundwater Management Plan Northeastern San Joaquin County Section 8 Groundwater Banking Authority 113 Integrated Conjunctive Use Program Assuming the Freeport Project is utilized by EBMUD in one-third of all years and the County is able to secure a wet-year water right on the American River, the maximum annual diversion amount would be approximately 65,000 af/yr at an average annual yield of 44,000 af/yr. The Water Availability Study suggests that in years when EBMUD is not utilizing the Freeport Project, the full amount will be available to the Authority under the County Water Right. Additional supplies obtained through third party groundwater banking and water transfers could also increase the yield to the Authority. 8.2.2 MORE WATER PROJECT In 1990 the Mokelumne River Water and Power Authority (MRWPA) filed a water right application with the SWRCB for unappropriated wet year flows on the Mokelumne River. The application cited three alternatives for the capture of water at the proposed Middle Bar Reservoir, a new “On-stream” 40,000 to 434,000 af reservoir, the proposed Duck Creek Reservoir, a new “Off-stream” 100,000 to 150,000 af regulating reservoir, or through direct diversions off the Lower Mokelumne River between Camanche Reservoir and Interstate 5. The classic alternatives are collectively known as the Mokelumne River Regional Water Storage and Conjunctive Use Project (MORE WATER Project). The MRWPA filed an additional water right application for power generation at the proposed Middle Bar Dam with an estimated power generation capacity of approximately 85 megawatts (MW) per year. The MRWPA also obtained 3 consecutive Preliminary Permits from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the proposed Middle Bar Dam alternative. The fourth consecutive Preliminary Permit, obtained for the proposed Duck Creek Reservoir alternative on January 22, 2004, is current for a period of three years through December 2006. The Preliminary Permit protects the MRWPA’s priority to study the power generation potential of the proposed Duck Creek Reservoir (FERC, 2004). In 2003 the MRWPA retained the services of HDR, Inc. in order to fully evaluate the engineering feasibility of the MORE WATER Project and devise and implement a strategy that would satisfy the requirements of CEQA, NEPA, the Water Right Applications, and all applicable permits. Funding for HDR services have come from contributions by the City of Stockton, the City of Lodi, and the MRWPA. The Authority is also looking to secure funding assistance through the Congressional appropriations process, State grants, and other interested agencies. In May 2004, the MRWPA completed Phase I – Reconnaissance Study of the MORE WATER Project. Phase I evaluated all historic information available regarding the water right applications, the FERC filings, Mokelumne River hydrology, and any past studies done on the classic alternatives. From the information gained, the classic alternatives and other alternatives meeting the MORE WATER Project purpose and need were conceptualized and evaluated. The following alternatives were considered in Phase I: • Pardee Dam and Reservoir Replacement/Enlargement • Middle Bar Dam and Reservoir • Mokelumne River Storage System Re-operation • Devil’s Nose Dam and Reservoir Construction • Duck Creek Reservoir – Pardee Diversion • Duck Creek Reservoir – Camanche Diversion