News Release Archive

CVP WATER SUPPLY ALLOCATION FOR WATER YEAR 2003 INCREASES ANOTHER 5 PERCENT

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

For Release: May 21, 2003

Reclamation today announced a 5-percent increase in water supply to agricultural and Municipal and Industrial (M&I) contractors south of the Delta from the Federal Central Valley Project (CVP) bringing the allocation to agricultural contractors to 70 percent and M&I to 95 percent. Reclamation's official allocation uses the 90-percent exceedence forecast, which is based on a below normal year classification in the May 2003 runoff information prepared by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).

Mid-Pacific Region Water Year 2003 Supply Allocation May 22, 2003

Probability of Exceedence Forecasts (90%)

Percent of Historical Average Sacramento Valley Index & Year Type (91%-Below Normal) North of Delta Allocation South of Delta Allocation Ag M&I R WR Ag M&I R WR 100 100 100 100 70 95* 100 100

Recent Historic Average (5-Year Average Allocation) 92 96 100 100 71 91 100 100 *Municipal and Industrial supply is based on historical deliveries.

At this time, the CVP Cross Valley Canal Contractors will receive an in-delta water supply of 70 percent. This water supply is dependent upon the availability of adequate capacity to convey the water at the State Water Project Banks Pumping Plant.

Based on the May 1, 2003, 90-percent exceedence forecast, the CVP East Side Division contractors (Stanislaus River) would have a water supply allocation of 2,000 acre-feet or 1 percent of their contract amount. This runoff forecast was updated on May 15, 2003, and the CVP East Side Division contractors will have a water supply allocation of 10,000 acre-feet or 6 percent of their contract amount. (In the April forecast, 0 percent was available.) The CVP East Side Division contractor water supply allocation is based on New Melones Reservoir storage and the inflow to New Melones Reservoir.

In cooperation with CALFED agencies, Reclamation has developed and implemented an operations plan for 2003 which supports water supply reliability and fishery protections and restoration needs. The current plan employs water augmentation tools reflected in the forecast including use of the Environmental Water Account assets to satisfy potential late spring export curtailments at the CVP Tracy Pumping Plant and efficient utilization of San Luis Reservoir storage.

The Friant Division deliveries for Water Year 2003 are projected to be 800,000 acre-feet or 53 percent of the historic water supply of 1.5 million acre-feet. The allocation for Friant Division contractors will be 100 percent of Class 1 water and 0 (zero) percent of Class 2 water. However, Reclamation will make available for Class 2 contractors approximately 240,000 acre-feet of Class 2 water under the "Uncontrolled Season" part of their contract. This allows the Class 2 Contractors to take water during this period which runs from April 22 to May 22, 2003. Through May 20, 2003, precipitation in the San Joaquin River watershed was 40.66 inches compared to 35.04 inches at this time last year.)

For additional information, contact the Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5100, TDD 916-978-5608. CVP Operations information will continue to be posted on the Mid-Pacific Region's website at www.mp.usbr.gov .

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