Tuesday August 4, 2026
Courthouse News Service —
A federal judge on Monday opted to impose no restrictions on operations for a massive California water conveyance system, determining environmental groups failed to meet their burden.
U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston wrote that the Center for Biological Diversity and other plaintiffs must make a heightened showing before she will issue a preliminary injunction over the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s operation of Shasta Dam and Reservoir this summer and fall.
The ruling comes after Thurston’s decision in early July to deny a temporary restraining order on water operations, while still leaving open the possibility of a preliminary injunction.
The groups argued the bureau’s operation of the Central Valley Project, including Shasta Dam, and California’s State Water Project failed to comply with a 2024 biological opinion issued under the Endangered Species Act. They asked the Joe Biden appointee to reduce water releases from Shasta and require the government to adopt a new operating plan.
Seeking to protect vulnerable fish species, the groups wanted at least 2.4 million acre-feet of water in Shasta Reservoir at September’s end, as well as water downstream a certain point at 53.5 degrees or lower.