AquAlliance: Here is the news we expected – “Agricultural water service contractors south-of-Delta allocation of 5% of their [CVP] contract supply is not available for delivery until further notice.’ The State Water Project projection for mostly urban contractors dropped to 5% delivery.
Major water transfers are in the works in addition to what the Bureau of Reclamation planned in the Long Term Water Transfer Program (2021 Sacramento Valley Water Transfers).
AquAlliance pulled our team together once more, so the Long Term Water Transfer Program is currently in court. We filed the lawsuit in May 2020. Unfortunately, but understandably, the virus caused all court activity to move very slowly with our opening brief finally due in August 2021. All briefs should be done in 2021 with a decision in 2022. We have a very strong case once again.
Currently we are evaluating how we may protect area groundwater from the additional water transfers.
Bureau of Reclamation Press Release follows.
For Release: March 23, 2021
Contact: Mary Lee Knecht, 916-978-5100, mknecht@usbr.gov
Reclamation updates Central Valley Project 2021 water supply allocation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, the Bureau of Reclamation announced an update to the initial Central Valley Project 2021 water supply allocation for agricultural water service contractors south-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.
“Although conservative hydrologic data was used to develop the initial CVP water supply allocation, inflow projections to CVP reservoirs have decreased from February forecasts, which further constrain available water supply,” said Regional Director Ernest Conant. “After careful consideration of water management options, we are adjusting the allocation for south-of-Delta agricultural contractors. As always, we will continue to monitor hydrology as the water year progresses and continue to look for opportunities for operational flexibility.”
Northern California has about 51% of average precipitation for this time of year; statewide average snowpack levels are at 63% of average. Ongoing dry conditions will require the coordination of federal, state and local agencies. Today, the California Department of Water Resources, which operates the State Water Project, is expected to announce a reduction in its anticipated water supplies.
Due to worsening hydrologic conditions, Reclamation is announcing the following update to the initial 2021 CVP water supply allocation:
Agricultural water service contractors south-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.
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. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit www.usbr.gov and follow @USBR and @ReclamationCVP on Twitter.