News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Additional Increases to Water Supply Allocations for CVP Water Users South of the Delta

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916 978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

For Release: April 08, 2011

Consistent with Department of the Interior guidance to continuously evaluate snowpack and reservoir levels within the Central Valley Project (CVP), the Bureau of Reclamation announces additional increases to allocations for South-of-Delta Water Service Contractors for the 2011 contract year.

Based on current precipitation and runoff projections and other factors, the allocation for South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors is increased from 65 to 75 percent of their contract total, and the allocation for Municipal and Industrial (M&I) contractors is increased from 90 percent of historic use to 100 percent of their contract total.

"We are continually monitoring runoff conditions, particularly in the San Joaquin basin, to determine how that water will be used in project operations. Based on the most recent analysis, we are pleased to announce these additional increases for South-of-Delta water users," Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor said. "Although this water year is providing a significant improvement to the water supply for South-of-Delta Water Service Contractors and should result in improved Delta conditions, it remains imperative that we find a long-term solution for a sustainable Delta and a more reliable water supply."

Under the terms of various CVP water contracts, current allocations follow:

  • Increased to 75 percent:  Agricultural water service contractors South-of-Delta are allocated 75 percent of their contract supply of 1.965 million acre-feet, an increase of 10 percent from the update announced on March 28, 2011, and 25 percent from the initial allocation in February.
  • Increased to 100 percent:  South-of-Delta M&I contractors are allocated 100 percent of their contract supply, an increase of 10 percent from the update announced on March 28, 2011, and 25 percent from the initial allocation in February.
  • Unchanged at 100 percent:  Agricultural water service contractors North-of-Delta are allocated 100 percent of their contract supply of 443,000 acre-feet.
  • Unchanged at 100 percent:  M&I water service contractors North-of-Delta are allocated 100 percent of their contract supply of approximately 340,000 acre-feet.
  • Unchanged at 100 percent:  Sacramento River Settlement Contractors and San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors, who receive their CVP water supply based on a pre-CVP water right, are allocated 100 percent of their contract supply of 2.2 million acre-feet and 840,000 acre-feet respectively.
  • Unchanged at 100 percent:  Wildlife refuges (Level 2) North- and South-of-Delta, whose allocations are based on a pre-established inflow trigger to Shasta Reservoir, are allocated 100 percent of their contract supply of 422,000 acre-feet. In addition, at this time Reclamation expects to meet all South-of-Delta Incremental Level 4 refuge water demands for Central Valley Project Improvement Act-designated refuges that can be served by San Luis Unit-Delta facilities.
  • Unchanged at 100 percent:  Eastside water service contractors (Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District and Stockton East Water District), whose water supplies are delivered from New Melones Reservoir on the Stanislaus River, are allocated their full contract supply of 155,000 acre-feet.
  • Unchanged at 100 percent Class 1 and 20 percent Class 2:  Friant Division contractors' water supply is delivered from Millerton Reservoir on the upper San Joaquin River. The first 800,000 acre-feet of water supply is considered Class 1; any remaining water is considered Class 2. The Friant Division water supply allocation is 100 percent of Class 1 (800,000 acre-feet) and 20 percent of the contracted supply of 1.4 million acre-feet of Class 2 (280,000 acre-feet).

Changes to hydrology and opportunities to exercise operational flexibility of the CVP are factors and conditions that will influence the water supply and allocations as the water year progresses. Water supply updates will be made as appropriate and will be posted at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/.

For additional information, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water or contact the Mid-Pacific Region's Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5100 (TTY 916-978-5608) or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

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