News Release Archive

Reclamation Announces Update to 2014 CVP Water Supply for Settlement Contractors and Refuges

Media Contact: Margaret Gidding, 916-978-5100, mgidding@usbr.gov

For Release: April 18, 2014

Sacramento, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation today announced an update to the February 2014 Central Valley Project water supply for Sacramento River Settlement Contractors and wildlife refuges north-of-delta. This update reflects improved precipitation and runoff in Northern California to date.

Based on the California Department of Water Resources’ April 1, Runoff Forecast, current hydrological conditions and actions taken to date to manage scarce supplies, the available contractual supply for North-of-Delta Settlement Contractor’s and wildlife refuges increased from 40 percent to 75 percent. Allocations for all other water contractors serviced by the CVP remain the same.

“In light of this year’s lower than average CVP water supply, Reclamation and its federal, state and local partners have been committed to ensuring our water resources are available, not just for today but for the future,” Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo said today. “The low initial allocation announced on Feb. 21, has been difficult for all CVP contractors, however, with the recent precipitation, it is with some optimism that we are able to increase the available supply for these two entities. We also continue to work toward stretching available water supplies as far as possible for all of our water contractors as we manage through the drought.”

“This type of water year reinforces the critical need for long-term solutions to drought management and improving California’s water supply reliability,” Murillo continued. “While managing the existing water resources stored in reservoirs across the region, we remain committed to working with our partners to develop a firm water supply for the future.”

Reclamation will continue to monitor water supply data provided by the state and will make adjustments to the allocation as soon as they are indicated. 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 posted at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/PA/water.

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 800-877-8339) or e-mail mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.

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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.