Topic: Central Valley Project

Overview

Central Valley Project

Constructed long ago by federal effort to help create farmland, the Central Valley Project is one of the biggest water and transport systems in the entire world.

In years of normal precipitation, it stores and distributes about 20 percent of the state’s developed water through its massive system of reservoirs and canals.Water is transported 450 miles from Lake Shasta in Northern California to Bakersfield in the southern San Joaquin Valley. 

Along the way, the CVP encompasses 18 dams and reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of 11 million acre-feet, 11 power plants and three fish hatcheries. As part of this, the Delta Mendota Canal and Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River deliver water to farms in the Central Valley.

Aquafornia news CalMatters

Monday Top of the Scroll: CA’s snowpack is near-average — what this means for water supply

Despite some heavy rainstorms and squalls of snow in recent months, the Sierra Nevada snowpack today stands at 90% of average, according to state officials. This year’s measurements mark the first below-average snowpack since 2022, when it dropped to a dismal 38% of the historical average. Last year at this time, the statewide calculation reached 110% of the average, and in 2023, the snowpack was one of the largest ever, measuring more than twice the average. More snow is on the way, however, which could make this year right around average.

Other snowpack and water supply news:

Aquafornia news Ag Info

Water allocation welcome, allocation timing challenging

The California Farm Bureau reports that farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are welcoming a 35% water allocation from the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) but say the timing limits its impact. Announced in late February, the allocation comes after many farmers had already made planting decisions, with some citing challenges in adjusting plans so late. … In a statement, Reclamation, which manages the CVP, noted the allocation is more than double the initial allocation in 2024, a year with similar hydrology. In addition, the bureau announced a 100% allocation for north-of-delta agricultural water contractors. 

Aquafornia news Politico

Western water districts warn of critical disruptions with Reclamation cuts

Farmers and others reliant on water provided by the Bureau of Reclamation are warning that staffing cuts at the agency could threaten access to supplies — and in one case are offering to step into the breach to help keep flows moving. Reclamation, like other federal agencies operating under a directive from the White House and so-called Department of Government Efficiency, has been actively reducing its staff across the 17 states where it manages canals, reservoirs, dams and hydropower facilities. That leaves open concerns that the agency won’t merely be short-staffed, but lack employees who are literally responsible for turning on pumps and releasing water to irrigators, said Shane Leonard, who serves as secretary and district manager for the Kennewick Irrigation District.

Other Bureau of Reclamation and water agency news:

Aquafornia news The Sacramento Bee

Wednesday Top of the Scroll: Red alert sounding on California drought, as farmers get less water

A government agency that controls much of California’s water supply released its initial allocation for 2021, and the numbers reinforced fears that the state is falling into another drought. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said Tuesday that most of the water agencies that rely on the Central Valley Project will get just 5% of their contract supply, a dismally low number. Although the figure could grow if California gets more rain and snow, the allocation comes amid fresh weather forecasts suggesting the dry winter is continuing. The National Weather Service says the Sacramento Valley will be warm and windy the next few days, with no rain in the forecast.

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