News Release Archive

Central Valley Project Water Allocation Increased to Users South of the Delta

Media Contact: Jeffrey McCracken, 916-978-5100, JMCCRACKEN@mp.usbr.gov

For Release: September 13, 2004

The Bureau of Reclamation today announced a 5-percent increase in water supply to South-of-Delta farmers and urban users. The allocation amounts to a 70 percent supply for South-of-Delta farmers and 95-percent of historical demand for urban contractors. This update is based on recent evaluations of Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir, current irrigation demands, and projected exports through the remainder of the contract year. Other CVP allocations will remain unchanged.

An increase of about 110,000 acre-feet is made possible by water taken from the Federal share remaining in San Luis Reservoir and by forecasted CVP operations. Projected exports from the Delta and South-of-Delta demands indicate that water is available for this allocation; however, should Reclamation be unable to fill the Federal share of San Luis Reservoir this winter, the increase may affect water supply in 2005. Water users have been made aware that the increased allocation may have an impact on CVP storage in San Luis Reservoir for 2005 depending on hydrologic conditions.

The forecast of CVP operations is available on the Mid-Pacific Region's website at: http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo. The preliminary water forecast for Water Year 2005 will be made in mid-January 2005. For additional information, please contact the Public Affairs Office at 916-978 5100 or TDD 916-978 5608.

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Reclamation today announced a 5-percent increase in water supply to South-of-Delta farmers and urban users