June 17, 2026By John Holland
River Partners was part of a construction project that restored another 250 acres of floodplain along the lower San Joaquin River. This newest rejuvenation took place at Great Valley Grasslands State Park in Merced County. Key partners in this restoration are American Rivers, California State Parks, and the Northern Valley Yokut Ohlone Tribe, and the goal was to enhance habitat for wildlife like the kit fox and Chinook salmon, while easing the flood threat to downstream homes. River Partners breached a levee built over 70 years ago to protect grazing livestock.
“Impactful restoration is driven by strong partnerships and informed by science. By reconnecting this reach of the San Joaquin River to its historic floodplain, we are restoring important ecological functions that benefit both wildlife and communities.”
~ American Rivers Regional Director Ann Willis
Read more at The Modesto Bee
Photo courtesy of California State Parks
