$75 million gates will make more pumping possible Chico Enterprise-Record - August 20, 2005 $75 million gates will make more pumping possible Chico Enterprise-Record – 8/20/05 The plan for the state to pump more water out of the Banks Pumping plant near Tracy is possible through installation of $75 million for gates to direct flows, while helping with fish migration and flooding. Jerry Johns, deputy director of water resources planning and management for the Department of Water Resources, said four permanent gates will be installed in the Delta "that will replace what we've been doing for the past 15 years." Currently rock barriers are placed each year to protect water movement for fish, and to protect south Delta agriculture and water quality, Johns said. The rock is put in and taken out depending on the season. In winter, when water flow is high, the rock would cause flooding problems. The rock also helps with fish migration by pushing more water into the Old River. At a certain juncture in the Delta, half the water goes into the main stem of the San Joaquin River and half to the Old River. The gates will operate in sync with the tides to prevent water drops in the south part of the Delta at low tide levels.  # http://www.chicoer.com/local_news/ci_2960145