$65.8 million more for Friant-Kern Canal
May 27, 2026
Congressman Jim Costa on Friday announced federal funding of $65.8 million has been awarded for the continued repairs of the Friant-Kern Canal.
The funding comes as part of a $131 million package will go almost entirely for major water infrastructure improvements for the Friant-Kern Canal and the O'Neill Pumping Plant. Costa's office stated the funding brings the total federal investment secured for water storage, aging water infrastructure, clean drinking water, and groundwater recharge projects benefiting the 21st Congressional District he represents to more than $1.4 billion.
The funding comes from two pieces of legislation, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Costa's office stated the funding will help improve water reliability, modernize aging infrastructure, strengthen drought resilience, and support long-term water management efforts.
“Reliable water infrastructure is critical to the future of the San Joaquin Valley, our agricultural economy, and the communities that depend on it,” said Costa. “The Central Valley depends on a reliable water supply to support our farms, local economy, and growing communities. These investments will help strengthen water delivery systems that families, farmers, and communities across the Valley rely on every day.”
The funding includes $65.8 million for the Friant-Kern Canal Capacity Correction Project, the continued effort to repair a 33-mile stretch of the canal. A 10-mile stretch at a cost of about $300 million was repaired when a parallel stretch of canal was constructed adjacent to the old canal.
In March the Department of Interior announced $200 million in funding for Friant-Kern Canal repairs for H.R. 1, the Big, Beautiful Build. The Friant Water Authority stated the funding would go to projects that were "shovel ready" and at that time stated it would move quickly through the public soliciation process to advance those projects.
Of the $131 million in funding Costa announced $53 million is going for the O’Neill Pumping Plant Main Transformer Replacement Project and another $11 million is going for the O’Neill Pumping Plant Unit Upgrades Project. Another $2 million is going to Fresno Irrigation District flow metering improvements expected to conserve approximately 840 acre-feet of water annually.
The O’Neill Pumping Plant projects will modernize critical Central Valley Project infrastructure connected to San Luis Reservoir and improve operational reliability throughout California’s water system. Costa's office stated.
Costa's office added Costa has long advocated for federal investments in water storage, conveyance, groundwater recharge, and drought resilience projects across the Central Valley.