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California’s need for water will not evaporate, says editorial

Posted by: Maven on March 5, 2010 at 8:35 am

From the Capital Press:

“Word last week that federal water managers were increasing this year’s allotment for irrigation is being greeted with understandable skepticism by growers in California’s parched San Joaquin Valley.

The federal Bureau of Reclamation announced that irrigators south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta would receive 5 percent of their contracted allocations, but could receive up to 30 percent if wet weather continues. U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said Department of Interior officials have told her that they could increase that allocation by 10 percentage points through various administrative actions.

The state Department of Water Resources increased its projection for deliveries to State Water Project contractors to 15 percent of contracted amounts. The state had previously forecast 5 percent. By the department’s own measure, if this estimate stays in place it would be the lowest delivery in 50 years.

This time last year, the feds had pegged allocations at 0 percent of contract amounts. While actual deliveries eventually hit 10 percent, more than 400,000 acres south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta were left fallow. … “

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March 5, 2010 · Filed Under General Water Issues

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