The Hodge decision is a flow requirement that several water agencies must follow when they extract surface water from the American River. The flow requirements vary throughout the year, with the spring and summer months of March through June presenting the most restricted rate, at a minimum of 3,000 cubic feet per second (85 m3/s). The agencies must maintain these specified flow rates to divert water from the American River. If the American River's flow rate is less than the specified minimum rate, some water agencies must obtain water from other sources.