News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Initial 2008 Central Valley Project Water Supply Allocation

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

For Release: February 27, 2008

The Bureau of Reclamation announces the initial Water Year 2008 allocation for the Federal Central Valley Project (CVP).  Reclamation prepared two forecasts:  a conservative forecast with a 90-percent chance of having runoff greater than forecasted (90-percent probability of exceedence) and a median forecast with a 50-percent chance of having runoff greater than forecasted (50-percent probability of exceedence).  In the 90-percent exceedence forecast, the water year inflow into Shasta Reservoir is about 3.8 million acre-feet. 

The Shasta Reservoir inflow is a criteria used to impose shortages to settlement contractors and refuges.  This initial announcement of the available water supply outlook is based on February 1, 2008, water runoff information prepared by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).  On February 15, 2008, Reclamation notified the water rights settlement contractors and water rights exchange contractors that they will receive 100 percent of their water supply based on the Shasta Reservoir inflow criteria.

Reclamation traditionally expresses the monthly outlook as a percentage (see summary table) of the contract total for each of the contract categories.  Allocations are also compared to the recent historic 5-year average of the final forecasts.

Mid-Pacific Region
Initial Water Year 2008 Supply Forecast
February 27, 2008

Probability of
Exceedence
Forecasts

Percent of Historical Average Sacramento Valley Index & Year Type

North of Delta
Allocation ***

South of Delta
Allocation ***

Ag

M&I*

 R

WR

 Ag

 M&I*

R

 WR

50%

74% - Dry

100%

100%

100%

100%

55%

80%

100%

100%

90%

54% - Critical

45%**

75%**

100%

100%

45%

75%

100%

100%

Recent Historic Average
(5-Year Average Allocation)

100%

100%

100%

100%

76%

94%

100%

100%

Ag = Agriculture  M&I = Municipal and Industrial  R = Refuges  WR = Water Rights    *M&I supply is based on historical deliveries.    **Allocation for North of Delta contractors may be subject to further review to address Sacramento River temperature objectives and Shasta Reservoir storage concerns.  *** Reclamation is implementing interim court-ordered measures this year to provide additional protection for delta smelt.  The actual actions will vary depending on a real-time assessment of Delta conditions and the location and maturity of Delta smelt.  The extent that these actions will impact the water supply available for allocation can vary, and this initial project water supply allocation will be updated as more specific actions are identified.

The Friant Division deliveries for Water Year 2008 are projected to be 800,000 acre-feet, or 64 percent of 1.25 million acre-feet, which is the 5-year average allocation.  The allocation for the Friant Division Contractors will be 100 percent Class 1 water and 0 percent Class 2 water.  The projected Friant Division delivery of 800,000 acre-feet is based on the DWRs 90 percent, February 1, 2008, forecast.  As of February 25, 2008, precipitation in the San Joaquin River Basin was 24.19 inches for the water year compared to 14.83 inches this time last year. 

The CVP Eastside Division (Stanislaus River) contractors will have 24,000 acre-feet (15 percent allocation) of project water available under the 90 percent and 50 percent exceedence forecast.  Reclamation is reviewing the New Melones Reservoir operations and the Interim Operations Plan of Operations for New Melones that is used as a guide for water allocations from the Stanislaus River.  This initial allocation will be updated as Reclamation continues its review and new hydrologic information is obtained.

Throughout the precipitation season, updated information will be provided as conditions warrant.  To receive the latest forecast on CVP operations, please contact Mr. Paul Fujitani at 916-979-2197.  In the coming months, additional information will be posted on the Mid-Pacific Regions Website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp.


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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. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

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Reclamation Announces Initial 2008 Central Valley Project Water Supply Allocation