California State Parks and Partners Celebrate Completion of Floodplain Restoration at Great Valley Grasslands State Park
Restoration project reconnects historic floodplain and expands habitat for salmon and other native species
Contacts:
California State Parks: Newsroom@parks.ca.gov
American Rivers: Marcus Kahn, mkahn@americanrivers.org, (510) 679-1899
River Partners: Sean Murphy, smurphy@riverpartners.org, (530) 680-6835
STEVINSON – California State Parks celebrated the completion of a major floodplain restoration today at Great Valley Grasslands State Park (SP). Over 15 years of project planning and coordination reconnect the San Joaquin River to more than 200 acres of historic floodplain habitat, restoring the ecosystem and reducing the threat of catastrophic floods. With California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot, conservation leaders, and partners in attendance, the celebration was one of the spotlight events for the fifth annual California State Parks Week (June 10-14).
“Restoring floodplains is a big idea and a critical action that we need to take,” said Secretary Crowfoot. “Floodplains are the reason why the Central Valley is this rich agricultural region with a remarkable abundance of nature and incredible habitat for birds, fish, and wildlife. This floodplain restoration project represents a win-win-win for conservation, access and reducing flood risk for downriver communities, and I’m thankful for all the partners who helped make it possible.”
“Great Valley Grasslands State Park is a perfect reminder for Californians that this is where you live, and this project helps provide a glimpse of what the natural landscape looked like in the Central Valley a millennium ago,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “I invite all Californians to explore their state parks during California State Parks Week and all year long.”
Restoration Project
Completed in February 2026, the Grasslands Floodplain Restoration Project was led by California State Parks in partnership with American Rivers, River Partners, and FlowWest. The project restored critical habitat for threatened and endangered species, including spring-run Chinook salmon, San Joaquin kit fox, and migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway.
“Impactful restoration is driven by strong partnerships and informed by science,” said
American Rivers’ California Regional Director Dr. Ann Willis. “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.”
Importance of Project
Construction crews removed sections of an unused levee originally built in the 1950s, allowing seasonal floodwaters to once again spread naturally across the landscape for the first time in more than 75 years. Reconnecting rivers to their floodplains improves habitat, supports groundwater recharge and strengthens ecosystem resilience.
Located within the 160,000-acre Grassland Ecological Area, the project will help restore native grasslands and wetlands and revive habitat while improving visitor experiences and reducing long-term levee maintenance impacts.
“This project represents a step toward [AY1] restoring one of California’s most important river systems,” said President of River Partners Julie Rentner. “Reconnecting the floodplain creates critical habitat for salmon and wildlife while strengthening the long-term health of the landscape.”
Expanding Outdoor Access
The project also supports ongoing efforts to expand outdoor access for communities in Merced County and surrounding areas. State Parks is currently developing a general plan for the park and welcomes public input.
Approximately $3.5 million was provided for this project through partnerships with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Watershed Restoration Grant Program, the Rivers and Streams Restoration Grant Program, Cox Enterprises’ Water Neutrality Program, California State Parks and the Cannabis Watershed Protection Program.
Clockwise from top left: Attendees tour the Great Valley Grasslands floodplain restoration project. California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot speaks during the celebration marking the project’s completion. Secretary Crowfoot and California State Parks Director Armando Quintero share a moment during the event. Photos from California State Parks.
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About California Department of Parks & Recreation
Popularly known as California State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.
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About American Rivers
American Rivers is a national conservation organization working to make every river clean and healthy for people and wildlife. We combine evidence-based solutions with enduring partnerships to safeguard the 3.5 million miles of rivers and streams that are essential to our nation’s clean drinking water, extraordinary wildlife, and the strength of our communities. For more than 50 years, our staff, supporters, and partners have been driven by a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers®. AmericanRivers.org
About River Partners
River Partners brings life back to California’s rivers. Founded in 1998, the nonprofit harnesses the power of restored riverways to create a thriving future for the state’s environment and communities. Blending modern farming practices, cutting-edge science, and diverse alliances, River Partners reforests and reconnects entire river landscapes, critical wildlife corridors, and vast ecological regions at a bold pace and scale. The organization’s statewide efforts result in lasting, tangible wins for wildlife, flood safety, climate resiliency, water conservation, healthy communities, and local economies. River Partners has the largest on-the-ground restoration footprint of any nonprofit or firm in the western U.S., having led hundreds of large-scale projects across more than 20,000 acres throughout California. riverpartners.org | info@riverpartners.org