California State Parks and Partners Celebrate Completion of Floodplain Restoration at Great Valley Grasslands State Park
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
Restoration project reconnects historic floodplain and expands habitat for salmon and other native species
Left to right: Julie Rentner (River Partners), Sarah Puckett (American Rivers), California State Parks Director Armando Quintero, Dr. Ann Willis (American Rivers), California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot, and John Cain (River Partners) cut the ribbon during the Great Valley Grasslands Floodplain Restoration Celebration at Great Valley Grasslands State Park. Photo from California State Parks.
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 reconnects 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 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 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, 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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