Initial 2013 Central Valley Project Water Supply Allocation Announced

The Bureau of Reclamation announced the initial Water Year 2013 water supply allocation for Central Valley Project (CVP) agricultural contractors, municipal and industrial contractors and federal refuges.

The California Department of Water Resources reports that snowpack and precipitation in the Sierra Nevada are below normal with the snow water content statewide at 70% of average for this time of year. Additionally, DWR’s February WY 2013 Runoff Forecast indicates a dry water year type for the Sacramento Valley and a critical water year type for the San Joaquin Valley.

The 2013 water year is unfolding in a unique way. Reclamation began WY 2013 (Oct. 1, 2012, to Sept. 30, 2013) with 6.9 million acre-ft of carryover storage in six key CVP reservoirs, which is 98% of the 15-year average for Oct. 1. Storms in late November and December resulted in above-average snowpack conditions in Northern California and contributed to above-average storage in Shasta and Folsom Reservoirs; however, the San Joaquin River watershed did not fare as well. This mixed start to the water year was then followed by one of the driest combined Januarys and Februarys on record, leading to what has become a challenging water year.

In addition, water supplies from the state and federal pumps in the south Delta have been reduced significantly this year to protect delta smelt, a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Although Reclamation has operated the CVP in a manner consistent with the biological opinion designed to protect the smelt, unanticipated numbers of smelt have been observed at the pumps. Storms in December 2012 flushed large amounts of sediment into the Delta, which may have set up a situation for elevated delta smelt migration into the central and south Delta well into February. Reclamation began to cut back on pumping operations in late December to protect the smelt, and pumping reductions have been required throughout January and February.

“While we continue to hope for additional precipitation during the remainder of the rainy season, we are also continuing to work with our federal, state and local partners to improve this year’s supply and to find a comprehensive, long-term solution that will achieve the dual goals of a reliable water supply for California and a healthy Bay Delta ecosystem that supports the state’s economy,” stated Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo.

Reclamation determines the allocation of CVP water for agricultural, environmental and municipal and industrial purposes based upon many factors. This initial allocation, based on a conservative runoff forecast, is driven by very dry hydrologic conditions in January and February, water quality requirements, flow objectives, relative priority of water rights and endangered species protection measures, including operational adjustments in accordance with biological opinions to protect threatened and endangered fish species.

Changes to hydrology and opportunities to exercise operational flexibility of the CVP are factors and conditions that will influence allocations as the water year progresses. Water supply updates will be made as appropriate and will be posted on Reclamation’s website.  

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Source: Bureau of Reclamation