California water managers this week cut in half the amount of water being pumped from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta at the state’s plant near Tracy, saying the main reservoir it serves is nearly full and the water is needed for fish. The reduction is required under the state’s environmental permits for pumping from the fragile Delta, because despite nearly full reservoirs and a robust snowpack, the San Joaquin River watershed had less-than-normal precipitation during the water year which began Oct. 1. … The state’s Banks Pumping Plant lifts water from the Delta to canals and reservoirs that serve San Joaquin Valley farms and Southern California cities. But environmental regulations require pumping to be reduced in the spring months of March, April and May to protect fish, including spring-run Chinook salmon, Delta smelt and longfin smelt, DWR officials said in a news release.

Other California water supply news:

• Newsweek: Timelapse shows ‘incredible news’ for California reservoirs
• Restore the Delta: News release: Court blocks delta tunnel drilling – again
• Real Clear Investigation: Blog: Waste of the day: Fight continues over California’s $20 billion water tunnel
• SFGate: California’s (land) drought has returned — and it’s already bad