Shasta Reservoir – the anchor of the Central Valley Project – is at a critical point in its history. Long relied upon for water supply and power, the iconic dam and reservoir are beset by factors that strain the foundation of its long-standing operation. Drought, a struggling winter-run Chinook salmon population and competing regulatory requirements have compelled Reclamation and its many partners to undertake a revised management strategy that acknowledges the complexities of today in manner that is novel and more inclusive. With a storage capacity of more than 4.5 million acre-feet, Shasta can hold a significant amount of water. But the capriciousness of California’s weather can push the reservoir into crisis mode within just one water year.