REDDING, Calif. — A proposal to raise Shasta Dam and boost California's ability to store water for dry years has drawn criticism from federal biologists who say it would harm endangered salmon.

Biologists for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in a draft report that raising the Northern California dam by 18.5 feet would flood salmon habitat.

Before starting work, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which owns the dam, needs approval from federal biologists who oversee the Endangered Species Act.

Raising the dam is a leading project under consideration for part of a $7.5 billion water bond that California voters approved in November. Some $2.7 billion will be used for storage projects, building two new reservoirs or creating underground storage. The specifics of the spending have not yet been decided.

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