The Paradise Cut Bypass Expansion and Multi-Benefit Project (Project) will improve flood protection for local communities, restore habitat, and improve water supply reliability in the South Delta. The Project will expand the existing Paradise Cut Bypass, restore capacity in South Delta channels, and increase habitat for species of state and local importance. By significantly lowering flood stage along nearly 30 miles of the San Joaquin River between Vernalis and Stockton, the Project will greatly increase public safety, as well as protect property and farmland from uncontrolled flooding. In August 2023, the California Department of Water Resources conducted a flyover of the project area using a drone. See the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@NCRO_UAV/videos.

SJAFCA encourages interested parties to attend public Advisory Committee meetings and workshops to learn more about the Project. Upcoming Advisory Committee meetings in 2025 will be held April 21, 2025; August 25, 2025; (CANCELLED - September 22, 2025) RESCHEDULED TO October 15, 2025; and (CANCELLED - December 15, 2025) RESCHEDULED TO February 9, 2026. SJAFCA will host two public workshops in September/October 2025 and December 2025. Find upcoming and previous meeting information below.

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• Increase flood system resiliency in the South Delta.
• Restore habitat and ecosystem functions necessary for climate change resilience.
• Improve water supply reliability and resilience to climate change by supporting more flexible water supply management.

• Reduce catastrophic flood risk for communities including Lathrop, Manteca, and Stockton.
• Protect farms from uncontrolled flooding.
• Restore and improve the quantity, diversity and connectivity of riverine, floodplain, riparian, and wetland habitat for native fish and wildlife.
• Improve irrigation intake reliability and waterway navigability.

SJAFCA is partnering with DWR to advance the Paradise Cut Bypass Expansion and Multi-Benefit Project Feasibility Study in Phase 3. The Feasibility Study will consolidate work previously completed and select preferred alternatives to advance to the next phase of Project development. See the milestones on the project below.

Progress on the Feasibility Study will be overseen by an Advisory Committee to the SJAFCA Board, composed of representatives from local and regional partners. In addition, SJAFCA has established an independent panel of experts to evaluate technical analyses, identify any pertinent technical shortcomings of this work, make recommendations on additional technical analyses or model updates required to advance the project, and review technical products produced under this scope of work.  

Please CLICK HERE for the RFP-24-02 - Consulting Services for the Paradise Cut Bypass Expansion and Multi-Benefit Project. 

Project Partners

On December 16, 2021, SJAFCA executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the following project partners to advance the project: