From the Bureau of Reclamation:
Continuing to focus on maximizing California’s water supplies, the Bureau of Reclamation is increasing the water supply allocations for Central Valley Project contractors south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta.
While all north-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors are currently at 100% of their supplies, south-of-Delta irrigation water service and repayment contractors are increased to 55% from 50%, and municipal and industrial water service and repayment contractors are increased to 80% from 75% of their historical use, or public health and safety needs, whichever is greater.
“As California’s primary precipitation season concludes, we now have greater certainty about water availability for the remainder of the water year, said Acting Regional Director Adam Nickels. “This allows us to responsibly adjust Central Valley Project allocations to better meet the needs of our water users while continuing to support environmental requirements.”
All other Central Valley Project contract allocations remain the same per the April 28 water supply update. Initial Central Valley Project contract allocations were announced on Feb. 25.
The adjustment also reinforces Reclamation’s commitment to achieving the objectives outlined in Executive Order 14181,, which seeks to maximize water supplies within the Central Valley Project.
As the water year progresses, changes in hydrology, actions that impact operations, and opportunities to deliver additional water will influence future allocations. Water supply updates and past year’s allocations are posted on Reclamation’s website.
Westlands Water District responds …
Today, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced a modest increase in the water allocation for Central Valley Project (CVP) South-of-Delta agricultural contractors from 50% to 55%. In response to the announcement, Westlands Water District General Manager Allison Febbo issued the following statement:
“While an increase is appropriate, given current reservoir levels and snowpack, a 5 % increase is disappointing and highlights a critical reality: even in average hydrological years, California’s outdated water system falls short of delivering the water our communities require. As a state, we are failing the family farms and rural communities in the San Joaquin Valley that depend on CVP water to grow food, provide jobs, and sustain the economy. We can and must do better.
We cannot simply hope for rain or snow. Our state needs a modernized water infrastructure that performs consistently regardless of annual hydrology. Westlands remains committed to working with state and federal partners to advance balanced, science-based solutions that improve the regulatory landscape, water storage, and delivery capabilities for the hardworking families who grow the food that feeds California—and the nation—day in and day out.”
