The Department of the Interior has approved the Record of Decision for the Sites Reservoir Project in Northern California, marking a significant step toward expanding water storage capacity in the state. The announcement comes on the one-year anniversary of President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order 14181, which aims to improve federal water supply reliability.
The Bureau of Reclamation is authorized to fund up to 25 percent of the total cost for the new reservoir, which will have a capacity of 1.5 million acre-feet and be located west of the Sacramento River near Maxwell. The facility is designed to store water during wet periods and make it available during dry years, supporting communities, agriculture, and environmental needs throughout California.
According to the Department, Executive Order 14181 has led to operational changes that allowed an additional 200,000 acre-feet of water to be delivered to California’s Central Valley Project over the past year by streamlining operations and capturing storm flows that previously could not be stored.
“President Trump made clear that federal water projects must deliver real results for American families,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “This administration is getting it done in record time. The Sites Reservoir Project and the gains achieved over the past year demonstrate how a disciplined, mission-focused approach can expand water reliability for communities, agriculture and the economy.”
Reclamation reported that more than 180,000 acre-feet of additional water was made available in 2025 compared with 2024 due to both favorable hydrology and improved operations under Executive Order 14181. Following approval of another project decision in December 2025, an extra 39,000 acre-feet was captured during late-December storms using increased operational flexibility.
“Signing the Sites Reservoir Record of Decision represents a federal commitment to move a long-studied water storage project forward,” said Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek. “This decision reflects years of analysis, public engagement and coordination, and establishes the foundation for construction through sound partnerships that will ultimately result in additional water supplies for California.”
The Record of Decision finalizes Reclamation’s selection from alternatives studied in environmental reviews and authorizes next steps consistent with federal law after extensive technical study and consultation with state, local, and tribal partners.
Reclamation stated it will continue implementing President Trump’s executive order as it pursues both immediate improvements in operations as well as longer-term infrastructure investments intended to support food production and increase economic stability across affected regions.
