SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Bureau of Reclamation today announced the 2017
water supply allocation for the remaining Central Valley Project
contractors. On Feb. 28, 2017, Reclamation announced the water supply
allocation for CVP contractors in the Friant Division (Millerton
Reservoir), Eastside Division (New Melones Reservoir), and the American
River Division (Folsom Reservoir).
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) reports that as of March
20, the statewide average snow water equivalent in the Sierra Nevada was 44
inches, as compared to 25 inches last year. Precipitation is currently 199
percent of the seasonal average to date for the Sierra Nevada for this
point in the water year (which began Oct. 1, 2016).
“As previously announced, Reclamation is taking a unique approach to
announcing CVP water allocations," said Acting Mid-Pacific Regional
Director Pablo Arroyave. “In February, we notified the Refuge Contractors,
San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors, and Sacramento River Settlement
Contractors that, since this is not a Shasta Critical Year, they will
receive 100 percent of their contract supply. We then provided additional
allocations on February 28. Now, following DWR’s March 1 snow survey and
completion of runoff forecasts, we are able to announce the remainder of
the CVP contractors’ allocations. While this allocation approach was
warranted for this water year, in future years Reclamation will continue to
strive to release initial allocations for all water users in February."
Reclamation determines the water allocation based upon many factors,
including hydrologic conditions, reservoir storage levels, water quality
requirements, water rights, contractual obligations, and endangered species
protection measures. After evaluating these factors, Reclamation is
announcing initial allocations to the following:
North-of-Delta Contractors
*
M&I water service contractors North-of-Delta are allocated 100
percent of their contract supply.
*
Agricultural water service contractors North-of-Delta are allocated
100 percent of their contract supply.
In-Delta
*
The Contra Costa Water District, which receives water directly from
the Delta, is allocated 100 percent of its contract supply.
South-of-Delta Contractors
*
M&I water service contractors South-of-Delta are allocated 90
percent of their contract supply.
*
Agricultural water service contractors South-of-Delta are allocated
65 percent of their contract supply.
Given the magnitude of this allocation, the amount of water carried
over from last year, and the overall availability of surface water,
Reclamation strongly encourages the use of surface supplies instead
of ground water wherever possible through the remainder of the 2017
water year. In order to promote effective use of supplies in San
Luis Reservoir this year and efficiency for next year’s operations,
Reclamation will limit the overall amount of water to be carried
over to the 2018 contract year to 150,000 acre-feet. This
represents approximately 10 percent of this year’s allocation. In
addition, Reclamation will work with contractors regarding a
strategy for water carried over from the 2016 water year and plans
to effectively carry over water for the 2018 contract year.
As the water year progresses, changes in hydrology and
opportunities to deliver additional water will influence future
allocations. Water supply updates will be made as appropriate and
posted at
http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvp-water/index.html
.
For additional information, please contact the Public Affairs
Office at 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or email
mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov
.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
