Action Alerts

Join us in learning about the proposed removal of 17,000

acre-feet of flow from the South Fork of the American.

 

Join us July 16th, 2025 for the El Dorado Irrigation District Public Meeting.

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El Dorado Irrigation District (EID) proposes to add a new point of diversion to their Water Right Permit 21112, which threatens flows on the South Fork American River (SFA) for over 50 miles of extraordinary whitewater, from downstream of Kyburz to Folsom Reservoir.

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Currently, under this permit EID diverts 17,000-acre feet annually at Folsom Reservoir, the lowest elevation within their service area. Now EID is proposing to move the diversion to an upstream location near Kyburz. THIS WILL REMOVE AN ADDITIONAL 17,000 acre-feet FLOW FROM THE RIVER. 

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The many visitors who enjoy the river for rafting, kayaking, picnicking, hiking, camping and fishing come from all over the California, throughout the United States, and the world. This threat to the SFA is a threat for everyone in California.   

EID has issued a DRAFT Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the project and is inviting public comment now. Overall, the DEIR analysis finds the impacts on flows, the environment and recreation are either “no impact” or “Less Than Significant” after mitigation. 

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However, the risks of this project are significant:

 

• The river faces serious risks from long-term, small but cumulative changes to its flows—both now and in the future—as climate change, drought, and population growth intensify.

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• The ecosystem benefits of the Upper American River watershed are valued at an estimated $15 billion annually, with surface water providing the highest value per acre—primarily due to its recreational use. Jeopardizing this invaluable resource for marginal efficiency gains by EID does not make long-term economic sense for the public.

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• Delivering water to higher-elevation communities could encourage population growth in areas with higher wildfire risk. Instead, El Dorado County should focus growth in the western region, which is already well served by the current diversion at Folsom.

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What you can do:

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Show up for the river, ask questions and voice your concerns. Attend a virtual public meeting - Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Click the following join link or copy and paste into your browser https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86505220266?pwd=glDVPWVoC9bH7enCpnsaCJLcHj0MRy.1

 

Submit written comments before August 11, 2025 at 5pm. Submit email comments to P21112EIR@eid.org and include the name and address of the commenter in the body of the email and “P21112 EIR Comment” in the subject line. Friends of the River is still analyzing the DEIR and will be providing further information soon.

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More information on the DEIR, the virtual public meeting and the opportunity to submit comments may be found in the Notice of Availability and Notice of Public Meeting by clicking this link. The DEIR may be found here by clicking this link.

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Key questions and points for written and verbal comments:

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Overall--the DEIR does not adequately address many significant risks to the river.

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How will climate change impact the project?

The DEIR does not adequately include assumptions about how the risks of climate change impact river hydrology and flows under the project.

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How will the project operate during drought or dry years?

The DEIR does not adequately describe operational decision criteria in dry years—how EID will determine when to use upstream diversion, at what flow thresholds, and in what volumes.

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What are the cumulative impacts of changing flows?

The DEIR acknowledges the project would change the seasonal timing of flows in the South Fork American River especially in dry and critically dry years. However, DEIR does not adequately account for the cumulative impact of changes in flow on the river and environment over time.

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What are the combined risks of other proposed diversions with the project?

The DEIR must address the cumulative risks of the El Dorado Water Agency proposal to divert an additional 40,000 acre-feet annually from the river by modeling the impact.

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How will the project impact boating and recreation?

The DEIR analysis shows there will be a small number of lost boating days. The DEIR should expand mitigation measures for lost boating days and quantify economic impacts to local recreation businesses.

 

Will the project create incentives for future water transfers from EID’s overall portfolio?

The DEIR fails to analyze the incentive the new diversion flexibility might create for indirect or future transfers of other EID supplies (e.g., pre-1914 rights) and ignores potential cumulative risk of increased export transfers from EID’s overall portfolio.

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Will the project create incentives for more development in the eastern county?

The DEIR does not adequately analyze potential for the new diversion point to enable new development patterns in eastern El Dorado County.

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Our rivers are already under significant stress from numerous dams and diversions—and climate change will only intensify these pressures. It’s essential to fully understand the risks of the proposed project, no matter how incremental they may seem. The stakes are simply too high.

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A healthy, well-functioning South Fork American River is vital to sustaining the watershed and supporting the health and economic well-being of El Dorado County, California, and communities downstream.