Hold placed on North-of-Delta Agriculture Service Contractors due to worsening drought conditions
Today, the Bureau of Reclamation announced an update to the initial Central Valley Project 2021 water supply allocation for agricultural water service contractors north-of-Delta. Allocation amounts are based on an estimate of water available for delivery to CVP water users and reflects current reservoir storages, precipitation, and snowpack in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada.
Northern California has about 48% of average precipitation for this time of year; statewide average snowpack levels are at 24% of average. With a dry forecast and warm temperatures, much of the remaining snowpack is expected to melt over the next few weeks; however, the dry preexisting conditions will limit snowmelt-driven reservoir inflow.
Due to worsening hydrologic conditions, Reclamation is announcing the following update to the initial 2021 CVP water supply allocation:
- Agricultural water service contractors north-of-Delta allocation of 5% of their contract supply is not available for delivery until further notice.
There are no updates to other CVP allocations at this time.
As the water year progresses, changes in hydrology and opportunities to deliver additional water will influence future allocation decisions. Water supply updates will be made as appropriate and posted at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvp-water/index.html.
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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR & @ReclamationCVP; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.
