Working with California Duck Stamp funds we will provide a water source for fields 3 and 18.  Water delivery is currently being re-engineered to provide a reliable water source to flood the units completely.  Additional state funds through a mosquito prevention agreement will focus on ensuring wetland units can be flooded and drained quickly and reducing problem vegetation.  This includes work on many of the main pumps that flood the wetlands. These efforts will reduce mosquito production and improve wetland food production for waterfowl.

The planned work includes vegetation control done by disking wetland units, excavating and cleaning delivery and drainage waterways to improve flooding and drainage capabilities, and earthwork focusing on improving micro-topography.  Earthwork is concentrated in units 25 A,B,C, and unit 67A.  In addition, federal funds are going to be spent on the Buttonwillow Lakes to help restore natural hydrology.

California Duck Stamp funds are being utilized to change and increase the size of weirs on the main water delivery system, re-grade field 41 to improve habitat quality and eliminate perennial pepperweed and to construct swales and levees in field 4.  Mosquito funds are being spent on cover management, which will reduce tall emergent vegetation and promote new stands of low growing waterfowl food plants.

Work on China Island will cover many of the wetland units and water supply.  Units scheduled for work include 10, 11 and 12.  A main water supply well will be rehabilitated to supplement surface water deliveries.  In addition, the main flood control levee will be retrofitted in spots where erosion is a problem.  Lastly, the return water system will be cleaned up to allow for water re-circulation that will save valuable water to be used on wetland irrigations.

California Waterfowl has been working on Grassland Water District Projects in both the North and South Grasslands.  In 2009, the Bennett Ditch will be improved with a large new weir, excavation and bank building.  In addition, the Agatha Canal and its extensions are being worked on.  This compliments earlier work on the Helm Canal completed in 2008 in the South Grasslands. All of these projects help ensure reliable water delivery to public and privately owned wetlands throughout the region.

California Waterfowl has partnered in a riparian restoration project in the San Joaquin River Parkway.  The parkway is a wetland and upland area that stretches along the San Joaquin River downstream of Friant Dam.  The area is currently being restored and will provide many recreational uses.

Work has started on 2 new deep wells, one lift pump, a return water re-circulation system, and over 9,300 feet of PVC pipelines. All projects are seeking to bolster water supplies and improve water-use efficiency. Pipelines transport the water to wetlands, reducing water loss due to percolation and evaporation. These water savings and increase in supply will improve wetland habitat and will also provide more water during the spring that will be available for irrigations of wetland food plants. USFWS and Kern NWR are partnering on the project and will benefit from increased water supplies as well.

California Waterfowl and its partners, including the Central Valley Joint Venture and Wildlife Conservation Board and a litany of private duck clubs have been enhancing habitat by improving delivery and drainage of wetlands, rebuilding levees, and installing weirs. This year's efforts will improve wetlands on 12 private duck clubs in the region.