With water so hard to come by in Central California these days, it is a hot commodity.
The San Joaquin River Restoration Project is cutting back on the water supply to the river at Friant Dam.
"Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst," said Bureau of Reclamation Manager Michael Jackson.
According to Jackson, during a critical dry year, the water typically flows out of the dam through the end of February.
But in an effort to save as much h2o as possible, water officials are shutting it off a month early.
"Due to the drought emergency declared by the governor and just the dry conditions all around they're looking to help out, conserve every drop we can," said Jackson.
Officials say releasing less water from Friant Dam will not just help the water supply but also help fish living down stream.
"We can't fish for salmon yet. It's going to take a while because we need a larger sustainable population," said Trout Unlimited's Steve Thao.
"We can't fish for salmon yet. It's going to take a while because we need a larger sustainable population," said Trout Unlimited's Steve Thao.
The non-profit organization works to restore the San Joaquin and reintroduce salmon into it.
He will be working to trap fish and carry them downstream to the Delta.
"That will give them a chance to go out into the ocean and live there for a couple of years and then as adults come back to the San Joaquin River," said Thao.
Over time, the goal is to get the release of water down from the current 350 cubic feet per second to about 200.
As the water recedes, Jackson says the fish will follow.
Enough water will remain to keep them alive and at the same time, prevent too much of this precious resource from slipping away.