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California: initial water supply allocation

28/02/2018

François-Xavier Branthôme
California,
North America
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The Bureau of Reclamation announced on 20 February the initial 2018 water supply allocation for many Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors. This allocation is based on a conservative estimate of the amount of water that will be available for delivery.

The 2017 water year was the wettest on record for most of northern California and CVP reservoirs were essentially full for the first time in five years; however, precipitation so far this year has been far below average.
“Despite the historic rainfall last year, California’s lack of sufficient water storage forces us to operate on a year-to-year basis,” said David Murillo, Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Director. “Given what we know today, and what we see in the forecast, we must be very conservative with our allocation. If this lack of rain and snow continues, we could very well be right back in drought operations.”

Based on the information outlined above, Reclamation is announcing the initial allocation to the following:
South-of-Delta Contractors
Agricultural water service contractors South-of-Delta are allocated 20 percent of their contract total.
I water service contractors South-of-Delta are allocated the greater of 70 percent of their historic use or public health and safety needs.

Friant Division Contractors
Based upon Millerton Lake storage and current and forecasted hydrologic conditions in the Upper San Joaquin River Basin, the Friant Division contractors are allocated 30 percent of Class 1 supplies. 
For the San Joaquin River Restoration Project, the current best forecast now indicates a “Critical-High” water year type.

Eastside Water Service Contractors
Eastside water service contractors (Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District and Stockton East Water District) will receive 100 percent of their contract total. 

"Without significant rain and snow this spring, conditions could worsen", Murillo said.

Sources: www.usbr.gov

Some complementary data