Improved reservoir storage and spring runoff conditions support additional allocation increases
From the Bureau of Reclamation:
The Bureau of Reclamation is increasing Central Valley Project 2026 water supply allocations for south-of-Delta contractors following continued modest improvements in reservoir storage and spring runoff conditions across California’s water system.
This allocation update reflects improved operational flexibility and hydrologic conditions resulting from April storm activity, strong carryover storage, and coordinated reservoir management efforts that allowed water managers to capture additional runoff while continuing to meet environmental and flood control requirements.
Based on current hydrology and updated forecasts, Reclamation is announcing the following changes to CVP water supply allocations:
South-of-Delta Contractors
- Irrigation water service and repayment contractors south-of-Delta are increased from 20% to 25% of their contract total.
- Municipal and Industrial water service and repayment contractors are increased from 70% to 75% of their historic use, or public health and safety needs, whichever is greater.
- Eastside Division contractors are increased from 0 to 49,000 acre-feet.
All other allocation amounts announced March 24 remain unchanged.
“Careful coordination and improved spring runoff conditions have strengthened overall system storage and allowed us to make additional water supplies available to south-of-Delta contractors,” said Acting Regional Director Adam Nickels. “While the Sierra snowpack has for the most part dissipated earlier than usual due to a warm spring, current reservoir storage and operational conditions support this incremental increase while maintaining prudent management of the CVP system.”
California’s major reservoirs remain at or above average storage levels for this time of year following coordinated efforts to maximize capture of spring runoff. Recent precipitation in April provided additional inflows into the system and reduced demands on stored water supplies. San Luis Reservoir and other key project facilities continue to benefit from these improved conditions.
At the same time, Reclamation emphasized that hydrologic uncertainty remains due to the rapid decline in Sierra Nevada snowpack. Statewide snowpack conditions have been well below average this year following an early seasonal peak and accelerated spring melt. Reclamation will continue to closely monitor conditions and adjust operations as necessary to maintain balanced management of water supply, environmental requirements, and reservoir storage heading into the summer months.
Operational improvements supported by Executive Order 14181 continue to enhance Reclamation’s ability to optimize project operations and efficiently move available water supplies through the system while meeting applicable regulatory requirements.
Reclamation continues to reserve a portion of storage in San Luis Reservoir as part of its drought reserve strategy. These reserves are not included in and supplementary to the current year allocation determinations updated today.
Water supply updates are available on Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Region website.
Westlands Water District Responds to Updated Central Valley Project Allocation
Today, the Bureau of Reclamation announced an updated allocation of 25 percent for Westlands Water District (District) and other south-of-Delta Central Valley Project irrigation water service contractors, an increase from the previous 20 percent.
In response, Allison Febbo, General Manager of Westlands Water District, issued the following statement:
“This allocation update is disappointing. While we appreciate the Bureau’s ongoing effort to update allocations as conditions evolve, and recognize the significant operational constraints involved in balancing reservoir management, temperature requirements for fish, and the many competing demands placed on the Central Valley Project (CVP), this allocation update falls short of our growers’ water needs.
This year’s conditions underscore the continued strain on our water system. Early precipitation and full reservoirs met a record hot March, leading to an extraordinarily low snowpack. This kind of weather whiplash between wet and dry conditions has become all too familiar but demonstrates the urgent need to reprioritize our water management policies to fix an outdated and broken system.
The CVP was designed to support water supply both north and south of the Delta through reservoir operations and, particularly for south of Delta agricultural allocations, through the diversion of excess flows in the winter and spring. Instead, lack of flexibility at our reservoirs combined with constraints on capturing surplus water during high-flow conditions has produced a system that is not fully delivering on its intended purpose.
This situation is exactly why we urge the Trump Administration to continue progress implementing Executive Order 14181 and move forward on Initiative 6. We need increased investment in storage and conveyance infrastructure, along with meaningful regulatory flexibility that prioritizes the needs of Californians, including our Central Valley communities. Without it, our water system will continue to fall short for the people and the purpose it was built to serve.”
Westlands continues to work closely with the Bureau of Reclamation, federal leadership, and policymakers to develop new methods and tools that will secure increased allocations and improve operational flexibility in the future.
