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News Release Archive
Reclamation Announces Initial 2009 Central Valley Project Water Supply Allocation
Media Contact:
Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, 02/20/2009 15:30
For Release: February 20, 2009
Today, the Bureau of Reclamation announced the initial Water Year (WY) 2009 allocations for the Federal Central Valley Project (CVP) based on the February 1 runoff forecast from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
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 unimpaired water year inflow into Shasta Reservoir is about 2.47 million acre-feet. The Shasta Reservoir unimpaired inflow is a criteria used to determine shortages to settlement contractors and refuges.
Reclamation traditionally expresses the monthly forecast as a percentage (see summary table) of the contract total for each of the contract categories. The official allocation is based on the 90-percent exceedence forecast. The 50-percent exceedence forecast is provided for informational and planning purposes.
Mid-Pacific Region | |||||||||
Probability of | Percent of Historical Average | North of Delta Allocation | South of Delta Allocation | ||||||
Ag | M&I | R | WR | Ag | M&I | R | WR | ||
Dry Forecast (90%) | 41% Critical | 0% | 50%* | 75% | 75%** | 0% | 50%* | 75% | 77% |
Median Forecast (50%) | 55% Critical | 10% | 60%* | 100% | 100% | 10% | 60%* | 100% | 100% |
Ag = Agriculture M&I = Municipal and Industrial R = Refuges WR = Water Rights M&I supply is based on historical deliveries | |||||||||
| *The allocation percentage for M&I is approximate and may be adjusted to meet public health and safety needs. **The potential for further reductions may exist if critically dry conditions continue. | |||||||||
The allocation for the Friant Division Contractors will be 25 percent Class 1 water and 0 percent Class 2 water based on the 90-percent exceedence forecast. The New Melones 90-percent exceedence inflow forecast for WY 2009 is 360,000 acre-feet, and as a result, no water supply is available for CVP Eastside Division (Stanislaus River) contractors.
During this critically dry period, Reclamation is closely coordinating with the State of California, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, and other Federal, State, and local organizations to fulfill its water supply obligations, which include water quality and the protection of fish and wildlife and associated habitats.
"These are challenging times, and Reclamation will continue to explore all options within our authorities to minimize the impacts to those affected by this water shortage," stated Donald Glaser, Regional Director for the Mid-Pacific Region.
In the coming months, updates to this forecast will be announced and information will be posted on the Region's website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp. Please contact the Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5100 or e-mail ibr2mprpao@mp.usbr.gov for additional information.
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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.
