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Central Valley drought may shift California water politics; Westside farmers could make claims to San Joaquin River

Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 2, 2009 at 7:37 am

From the Merced Sun Star:

An unprecedented shift of San Joaquin River water from farmers in the east Valley to those in the west could further complicate the scramble to save crops from drought this year.

At stake is precious San Joaquin River water, which has helped east-side farmers cultivate a multibillion-dollar economy on 1 million acres over the last half century.

Many Westside irrigation districts import water from Northern California. But four of them also have historic rights to the river. Under terms of special contracts drafted decades ago but never exercised, the four could move to the front of the line for water from the San Joaquin. The deal was made to free up enough river water for east-side farmers.

Facing drought and probable water-pumping restrictions in Northern California, federal authorities must decide if they should tap Millerton Lake, where the river is held back by Friant Dam, for the Westsiders.

On the east side, folks are uneasy. Nobody knows how much water could be lost. “In the 50 years-plus of the project, there has never been a call like this on the San Joaquin River,” said Ron Jacobsma, general manager of the Friant Water Users Authority, representing 15,000 east-side farmers.

Read more from the Merced Sun Star by clicking here.

February 2, 2009 · Filed Under Drought, Weather & Snowpack, San Joaquin Valley, Water Rights

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