In 2002, the Public Interest Energy Research Program (PIER) of the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the Division of Water Rights of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) established the Pulsed Flow Program through the Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture of the University of California, Davis (UCD), to address the ecological effects of manufactured or augmented flows from hydropower facilities on aquatic resources within California. The Program is specifically looking at the effects of hydropower pulsed flows on aquatic habitats and biotic communities in California streams and rivers.

In 2003, the first request for research proposals was announced and five proposals were awarded funding from the PIER Program of the California Energy Commission through the UCD-CEC Pulsed Flow Program. In 2004, the second request for proposals was announced and three proposals were awarded funding. In 2005, research projects were ongoing with two projects ending in the spring of 2005. The Pulsed Flow Program Management Team believed that having a workshop is one means of sharing the results of the funded research projects to all interested parties. Thus, the Team organized the First Pulsed Flow Program Workshop held at the Putah Creek Lodge, University of California, Davis on July 15th, 2005 at 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM with about 100 participants.