Bureau of Reclamation discusses preliminary Water Year 2012 Central Valley Project water supply conditions
Posted by: Maven on January 28, 2012 at 8:23 amFrom the Bureau of Reclamation:
“In preparation for the Bureau of Reclamation’s initial Water Year (WY) 2012 water allocation announcement in mid-February, Reclamation is providing information on water supply conditions for the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) and comparisons of CVP reservoir storage for January 2012 with January 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the 15-year average. (Reclamation’s WY runs from October 1 to September 30.)
Water conditions over the past several years have fluctuated from “Dry” in WYs 2009 and 2010 to “Wet” in WY 2011. The California Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) first snow survey for 2011, held December 28, 2010, showed California’s mountain snowpack to be 198 percent of normal for that date. In contrast, DWR’s first Snow Survey for 2012, performed January 3, 2012, showed California’s mountain snowpack to be among the driest on record, with the snow-water content at 19 percent of normal for that date.
Despite recent rain and snowfall, hydrologic conditions are far below average for the season. As of December 31, 2011, DWR reported that the Northern Sierra 8-Station Precipitation Index Water Year total was 6.9 inches, which is about 39 percent of the seasonal average to date and 14 percent of an average water year (which is 50.0 inches). During December 2011, the total precipitation for the northern region was 0.3 inches, which is about 4 percent of the monthly average and the third driest December on record. Additionally, the San Joaquin 5-Station Precipitation Index Water Year total was 4.0 inches, which is about 31 percent of the seasonal average to date and 10 percent of an average water year (which is 40.8 inches). During December, the total precipitation for the southern region was 0.0 inches, which tied with 1989 as the driest December on record. … “
Continue reading from the Bureau of Reclamation by clicking here.
California’s Central Valley Project? The feds bailed us out, says commentary
Posted by: Maven on January 20, 2012 at 7:41 amFrom Ethan Rarick at Fox & Hounds:
“In making his case during the State of the State speech for the proposed high-speed rail system and the pending water bond, Gov. Jerry Brown acknowledged that big-bucks projects are often met with derision. He noted that the Central Valley Project was begun during the 1930s, when critics called it a “fantastic dream” that “will not work.” (I’m relying on the prepared text of the governor’s speech, as posted by the Los Angeles Times.) The day before, Brown’s spokesman, Gil Duran, used the same example to defend the governor’s plans, telling the Times, “We built the Golden Gate Bridge and the Central Valley Water Project during the Great Depression.”
I don’t disagree with the larger Brown/Duran point that grand ambitions require a certain audacity even in the face of troubled times, but to set the historical record straight, it should be noted that the state did not build the Central Valley Project during the Great Depression or at any other time. In fact, when it comes to the CVP, California tried to build it, flopped, and had to be bailed out by the federal government. … “
Continue reading from Fox & Hounds by clicking here.
Bureau of Reclamation announces additional water available for California’s Central Valley Project South-of-Delta contractors
Posted by: Maven on January 6, 2012 at 9:04 amFrom the Bureau of Reclamation, this press release:
“The Bureau of Reclamation announced today that current hydrologic conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, export and operational capability at the C.W. “Bill” Jones Pumping Plant (Jones Pumping Plant), and storage conditions at San Luis Reservoir have provided an opportunity to make available otherwise non-storable Section 215 water for water service contractors south of the Delta who enter into a “Temporary Water Service Contract for Surplus Water” with Reclamation.
The federal share of San Luis Reservoir, which totals about 965,000 acre-feet, filled on January 2, and current Central Valley Project (CVP) water demands in the South-of-Delta service area are less than the operational and export capability at the Jones Pumping Plant.
Section 215 refers to a section in the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 (Public Law 97-293) which defines temporary water supplies that are unusually large and not storable for project purposes and, among other measures, allows non-storable water to be applied to lands otherwise ineligible to receive federal Reclamation water. The conditions which make this surplus water available will be monitored daily and may cease to exist on short notice if hydrologic or tidal conditions change our operational requirements. As such, the actual amount of Section 215 water made available will depend on actual conditions in the Delta.
The availability of this Section 215 is a separate action unrelated to the initial CVP water supply outlook which will be announced later this month. … “
A little bit more from the Bureau of Reclamation by clicking here.
Dan Bacher: CSPA, Winnemem Wintu sue Bureau over Central Valley Project contracts
Posted by: Maven on January 6, 2012 at 8:21 amFrom Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org:
“The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA), North Coast River Alliance, Friends of the River and the Winnemem Wintu Tribe have sued the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) in Federal Court over interim Central Valley Project water delivery contracts.
The water is exported from the imperiled Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the largest estuary on the West Coast of the Americas, to irrigate drainage impaired land owned by corporate agribusiness interests on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.
“Specifically, the lawsuit challenges the Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for eleven interim renewal contracts for water deliveries to the San Luis Unit, which includes Westlands Water District,” according to Bill Jennings, Chairman/Executive Director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance.
The Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) was passed by Congress and signed into law by President George Bush in 1992 to address the adverse environmental impacts that result for Central Valley Project operations. It make fish and wildlife a purpose of the Central Valley Project for the first time. … “
Continue reading from Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org by clicking here.
Delta Science Program releases report on the independent review of SWP/CVP operations
Posted by: Maven on December 16, 2011 at 8:33 amFrom the Delta Stewardship Council’s Delta Science Program:
“An independent panel of national scientific experts convened by the Delta Science Program has released its 2011 review report on the implementation of Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) Actions affecting the Operations Criteria and Plan (OCAP) for State/Federal Water Operations.
The report informs the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as to the efficacy of the prior year’s actions prescribed by their respective RPAs and includes specific recommendations for how RPA Actions could be better linked to biological objectives for salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon and delta smelt.
The report also looks at how well agencies responded to the previous year’s review.”
Federal Agencies’ Initial Response to the Panel’s Report (December 15, 2011)
For more background or links to the review materials, click here.
Reclamation announces 2011 integrated annual review of coordinated operation of the CVP and SWP
Posted by: Maven on October 28, 2011 at 8:22 amFrom the Bureau of Reclamation:
“The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources have scheduled a public workshop to perform a Delta Science Program Review of the RPA implementation during the 2011 coordinated operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP), previously referred to as “Operations Criteria and Plan (OCAP) Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPAs).” The goals of the workshop are to develop lessons learned, incorporate new science and make appropriate scientifically justified adjustments to the RPAs or their implementation to support real-time decision making for the next water year. Additionally, the independent science panel review is to inform the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service whether or not the desired effectiveness was accomplished by prior years water operations and regulatory actions, as prescribed in the coordinated long-term operation RPAs. The workshop is scheduled over two days:
Sacramento Tuesday, November 8, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST Wednesday, November 9, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. PST 650 Capitol Mall, Stanford Room (First Floor) Please allow extra time for parking and federal building security screening procedures. Current photo identification is required for building access. Visitors may not bring cameras or cell phones with camera capability into the building. … “
The meeting will be webcast. In Maven’s continuing quest to make this website as useful to you as possible, the link to the webcast will be posted at the top of the scroll on the days of the meeting. Click here for webcast details and contact information.
Central Valley Project begins Water Year 2012 with 9.3 million acre-feet of storage (78% of capacity)
Posted by: Maven on October 15, 2011 at 8:28 amFrom the Bureau of Reclamation:
“The Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project began Water Year (WY) 2012 (October 1, 2011 – September 30, 2012) with approximately 9.3 million acre-feet of water (78 percent of capacity) in six key CVP reservoirs.
The total reservoir storage is the combined amount of water remaining at the end of WY 2011 in Shasta, Trinity, Folsom, New Melones and Millerton Reservoirs and the Federal share of the joint federal/state San Luis Reservoir. The 15-year average carry-over for these reservoirs is 6.9 million acre-feet of storage (58 percent of capacity). An acre-foot is the volume of water sufficient to cover an acre of land to a depth of 1 foot, enough water to sustain a typical California household of four for 1 year. … “
Continue reading this press release from the Bureau of Reclamation by clicking here.
Dan Bacher: CSPA, Winnemem Wintu sue Westlands over contract renewals
Posted by: Maven on September 14, 2011 at 8:37 amFrom Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org:
“The California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA), Friends of the River, North Coast River Alliance, Save the American River Association and Winnemem Wintu Tribe have filed a lawsuit against Westlands Water District and its two water distribution districts over the renewal of six interim water service contracts.
The action, filed 25 August 2011, concerns six Central Valley Project (CVP) contracts providing up to over one million acre feet of water annually from the Delta. The groups and Tribe say water exports out of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta are a principle reason for the decline of Central Valley salmon and Delta fish populations.
Westlands, et al, claims the contracts are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A call to a spokesperson for Westlands regarding their rationale for claiming a CEQA exemption had not been returned at press time. … “
Continue reading from Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org by clicking here.
Private Water Law Blog: Federal Court denies area of origin priority for Sacramento Valley CVP contractors
Posted by: Maven on August 16, 2011 at 7:30 amFrom the Private Water Law Blog:
“Last week, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (Judge Wanger) issued a decision in Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority v. U.S. Department of the Interior, Case No. 1:10-cv-0712 OWW DLB (August 2, 2011), holding that Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors in the Sacramento Valley are not entitled to an area of origin priority over contractors in the San Joaquin Valley (see general area map below). This decision is the latest in a long series of disputes between north-of-Delta and south-of-Delta contractors, with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) in the middle as owner of the CVP.
The Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority (TCCA) is a joint powers authority made up of 16 CVP contractors in the Sacramento Valley. Each of those contractors has its own water service contract with USBR, originally entered into during the 1960s or 1970s, and renewed in 2005. The terms of those contracts are standard across all contractors, including the Article 12 provisions related to water shortages. … “
Continue reading from the Private Water Law Blog by clicking here.
Public Scoping Report Released on CVP Municipal and Industrial Water Shortage Policy
Posted by: Susan Lauer on August 1, 2011 at 7:49 amFrom the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
The Bureau of Reclamation has made available the Central Valley Project Municipal & Industrial Water Shortage Policy Scoping Report. The Report was completed in compliance with the requirements set forth under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Reclamation conducted public scoping meetings March 21-24, 2011, in Sacramento, Willows, Fresno and Oakland, California. The Report summarizes each scoping meeting and includes public comments received on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement. The Report is available on Reclamation’s website at www.usbr.gov/mp/cvp/mandi.
Spreck Rosekrans: B2 déjà vu – lawsuit claims government actions to protect salmon are unlawful
Posted by: Maven on June 16, 2011 at 7:34 amFrom Spreck Rosekrans at the Environmental Defense Fund’s On the Water Front blog:
“The 1992 Central Valley Project Improvement Act includes numerous provisions to protect and restore fisheries, especially the salmon industry that has been decimated by the construction of dams and the diversion of freshwater for irrigated agriculture. Section 3406(b)(2) of the CVPIA, which authorizes the Department of the Interior to allocate up to 800,000 acre-feet of “project yield” annually to increase the Central Valley’s wild anadromous fish populations and for other restoration mandates, has provided valuable protection – especially in the operational flexibility to prevent large numbers of fish from being entrained in the massive pumps that export water from the Delta. The issue of how to implement the 800,000 acre-feet of project yield has been the subject of ongoing litigation since 1997.
Last week, agricultural water districts along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley filed a new claim to prevent reductions in water pumping from the Bay Delta. The pumps are being reduced to prevent juvenile salmon from being trapped or killed at the pumping stations and to help their migration out to the ocean. More than 5000 juvenile salmon have been entrained at the CVP pumps this month. The water districts claim “the pumping reduction decision is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and otherwise not in accordance with law.” … “
Continue reading from the On the Water Front blog by clicking here.
Friday’s top of the scroll: Department of Interior’s pumping cutbacks prompt San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority to file lawsuit
Posted by: Maven on June 10, 2011 at 8:47 am
From the Western Farm Press:
“The Department of the Interior’s decision last night to cut back on water deliveries for the Central Valley is a direct violation of federal law, the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) announced. SLDMWA is immediately filing suit to ask the federal court for a temporary restraining order to stop Interior from reducing California’s water supplies any further.
“The law is crystal clear,” said SLDMWA Executive Director Dan Nelson. “When there is an abundance of water as there is in this very wet year, the Bureau of Reclamation is obligated to export and store as much water as its system can manage.” … “
Continue reading from the Western Farm Press by clicking here.
Photo of the Bill Jones Pumping Plant by Chris Austin.
Reclamation press release: 80-percent water supply allocation declared for CVP South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors
Posted by: Maven on April 26, 2011 at 8:36 amFrom the Bureau of Reclamation, this press release:
“The Bureau of Reclamation today increased the water supply allocation for South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors from 75 to 80 percent. Improved hydrology in the San Joaquin Valley and opportunities to exercise Central Valley Project (CVP) operational flexibility influenced water supply conditions, allowing the allocation of 80 percent of the South-of-Delta users’ contract total of 1.965 million acre-feet. This represents an increase of 30 percentage points from the initial allocation made in February 2011 and 35 percentage points above their final allocation for last year. The allocation for all other CVP contractors remains at 100 percent of their contract totals as announced on April 8, 2011.
“The 2011 Water Year has developed into a significantly improved one for all water contractors that Reclamation serves through the CVP. Today’s increase to South-of-Delta contractors is a result of increased precipitation and runoff potential, good reservoir levels and effective operational measures,” said Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor. “We are fortunate for the relief from the drought of the past 3 years and realize that we can return to a drier cycle at any time. For that reason, the Department of the Interior and Reclamation remain committed to finding a long-term solution to CVP water supply challenges. We see the Bay Delta Conservation Plan and its goals of achieving water supply reliability and a sustainable Bay-Delta ecosystem as the best chance at finding this balance.”
Given the improved precipitation, the CVP will likely enter the next water year with improved reservoir carryover storage, which is encouraging for the 2012 Water Year. Reclamation will continue to monitor precipitation, forecasted snow melt runoff, operations and water demands to determine if an additional increase in the allocation for South-of-Delta agricultural contractors is warranted. The current allocations and other background information are available at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water.”
Central California farmers to get more water for crops
Posted by: Maven on April 9, 2011 at 9:14 amFrom the Fresno Bee:
“Thanks to a wet winter and spring, farmers in California’s top agricultural region will be getting more water this year for their crops.
The Bureau of Reclamation announced Friday that farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, an area alongside the Interstate 5 corridor, will see an increase to 75 percent of their water contract allocations. … “
Continue reading from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
Dianne Feinstein issued this statement:
““I am pleased to learn that the allotment has been adjusted to 75 percent. I understand that further adjustments are possible as well, based on snowpack data that is now being analyzed. I will continue to follow this situation closely. California has a bumper crop of water and most farms will receive 100 percent of their allotment. South-of-Delta farms should receive a high allotment just based on available water.””
Click here for the Bureau of Reclamation press release. (At posting time, the server at Reclamation was down, but this should be the correct link).
Barry Nelson: CVP-wide water allocation at 91 percent
Posted by: Maven on March 31, 2011 at 8:25 amFrom Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard blog:
“On Monday, the Bureau of Reclamation announced its revised water allocation numbers for the year. If you listen to certain water users and members of Congress, you’d think that the recent rains have allowed the CVP to increase its water allocations to 65 percent. But actually, system-wide, the Bureau of Reclamation projects that it will deliver over 91 percent of its generous CVP water contracts.
Stories about the CVP tend to overlook the vast majority of the project’s deliveries. For example, the Bureau has projected that the following categories of contractors will receive 100 percent of their contract amounts. (The contract amount for each is included in parentheses). … “
Continue reading from the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.
West-side farmers get irrigation boost
Posted by: Maven on March 29, 2011 at 8:52 amFrom ABC Channel 30:
“Farmers on the Valley’s west-side got a bit of good news on Monday. The Bureau of Reclamation increased the farmers’ water delivery by ten-percent, upping their allocation to 65-percent of normal.
Now a new bill introduced this week could put the heavy snowpack to greater use.
Towering Friant Dam is already filled to 85-percent of its capacity so 14-thousand acre feet of water are now being released every day. But the water pouring into the San Joaquin River isn’t reserved for Valley farmers. … “
Continue reading from ABC Channel 30 by clicking here, or watch the newscast below:
This just in … Reclamation announces increased allocations for CVP contractors
Posted by: Maven on March 28, 2011 at 1:25 pmFrom the Bureau of Reclamation, this press release:
“Following on the commitment by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to continually monitor and evaluate the reservoir levels and water run-off within California’s Central Valley Project (CVP) to determine if additional supplies can be made available to CVP water contractors as quickly as possible, the Bureau of Reclamation today announces increases to the water supply allocations for users south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for the 2011 contract year.
On March 22, Reclamation announced increases to the 2011 water supply allocations for South-of-Delta agricultural and Municipal and Industrial (M&I) water users from 50 to 55 percent and 75 to 80 percent, respectively. Now, additional precipitation in California, which has been used to update runoff projections, allows for further increases to the allocations. The allocation for South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors is increased from 55 percent to 65 percent of their contract total, and the allocation for South-of-Delta M&I contractors is increased from 80 percent to 90 percent of historic use.
“The allocation now exceeds the 20-year average of 62 percent for South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors, and additional increases are still possible. It should be noted, however, that due to the deterioration in the Delta environment, restrictions in South-of-Delta pumping are likely to continue during certain times of the year,” said Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor. “The Bay-Delta Conservation Plan offers the best opportunity for a comprehensive solution that addresses the dual needs of water supply reliability and environmental restoration, and we remain committed to that effort.”
Reclamation will continue to monitor all developing water supply data and look for additional opportunities to increase the allocations in the coming weeks.Continue reading “This just in … Reclamation announces increased allocations for CVP contractors” »
Water, water everywhere — but not for farmers
Posted by: Maven on March 26, 2011 at 9:30 amFrom the Bay-Citizen:
“California is awash with water and its mountains are coated with thick layers of snow. That will mean good news this summer for households, businesses and other water users who have endured years of drought.
But despite the flush conditions, created by relentless winter storms rolling in from the Pacific Ocean, one group will be forced to continue cutting back dramatically.
San Joaquin Valley farms, which provide most of the state’s produce, have been warned by the federal government to expect near drought-like water allocations this year from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta system. … “
Continue reading from the Bay-Citizen by clicking here.
Feinstein on water allocation: ‘Worst I’ve seen in years’
Posted by: Maven on March 26, 2011 at 9:25 am
From the website of Senator Dianne Feinstein:
“U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released a statement on continuing shortfalls in water allocations for farmers in the San Joaquin Valley.
Also today, Fresno District Court Judge Oliver Wanger held a hearing on the validity of the biological opinion on salmon that influences water allocations for California.
Following is Senator Feinstein’s statement:
“The disconnect in federal water allocations is the worst I’ve seen in years. South-of-Delta farmers are getting only 55 percent of contractual amounts, a shocking number when the state snowpack is as high as 165 percent. That is simply unacceptable.
“Here is the problem: when we do see torrential rainstorms, water allocations do not increase. That’s because we lack reservoirs and other infrastructure to store it. Until we learn to effectively harness what water we have, we’ll continue to suffer shortages statewide.”
Reclamation increases releases from Shasta Dam to the Sacramento River
Posted by: Maven on March 25, 2011 at 3:31 pm
From Bureau of Reclamation, this press release:
“For flood control management, the Bureau of Reclamation will increase Shasta Dam releases today by 20,000 cubic feet per second, bringing the total releases from the dam to 40,000 cfs into the Sacramento River. The increased releases are necessary to meet flood space regulatory requirements within the reservoir and will remain at that rate until further notice. Shasta Dam is located about 12 miles north of Redding.
Folsom Dam on the American River will gradually reduce releases on Monday and Tuesday, from 20,000 cfs to 15,000 cfs. Folsom Dam is located about 25 miles east of Sacramento.
People recreating in or along the Sacramento or American rivers should take appropriate safety precautions during periods of high river flows. … “
For more information, click here.
Senator Feinstein: CVP water allocation shows need for ‘comprehensive water solution’
Posted by: Maven on March 25, 2011 at 8:40 amFrom the website of Senator Dianne Feinstein:
“U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) released the following statement regarding the Central Valley Project water allocation announcement made on Tuesday by the Bureau of Reclamation.
“In the past, the amounts of rain we’ve seen this year would mean significantly higher South-of-Delta water allocations. Instead, municipal and industrial water users have seen their allocation increased to 80 percent, while the allocation for agriculture has risen to only 55 percent. Every other federal water user in the state will continue to receive 100 percent of their contractual allocation.
“This disconnect illustrates the need for a comprehensive water solution with both short-term and long-term measures. We need to focus on ecosystem repair as well as new storage and infrastructure to capture and divert the types of abundant flood flows we are seeing this year.””
Congressman Denham responds to CVP allocation
Posted by: Maven on March 24, 2011 at 7:53 amFrom Congressman Jeff Denham’s website, this reaction to the CVP allocations:
““It is ridiculous that farmers will only receive 55% of the water allocated to them in their contracts this year,” said Rep. Denham. “With reservoirs in flood operations and 300,000 acre-feet of water flowing from the Delta into the Pacific Ocean on a daily basis, it is inexcusable that farmers south of the Delta are not receiving 100% allocation. The Administration’s support of extreme environmental policies has hampered the farmers and families of the Central Valley for too long. The time for inaction is over. In order to bolster the economic growth and create jobs we must get our priorities straight and bring water to the Valley.”
Federal officials promise more water for Central Valley Project
Posted by: Maven on March 23, 2011 at 9:55 amFrom the Sacramento Bee:
“Federal officials today increased their water delivery forecast in response to the bountiful winter. Now, virtually all contractors who buy water from the federal government can expect full normal deliveries this summer.
The glaring exception is agricultural customers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, which got only a 5 percent increase, to 55 percent of full contract amounts. The explanation comes back to difficulties in pumping water from the Delta without harming endangered fish species. … “
Continue reading from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
Congressmen Cardoza & Costa react to Water and Power Subcommittee hearing, new Water Allocation Announcement
Posted by: Maven on March 23, 2011 at 9:54 amFrom the website of Congressman Dennis Cardoza:
“Today, Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) and Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) released the following statement:
“We are pleased with the decision by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings and Water and Power Subcommittee Chairman Tom McClintock to hold a hearing in Fresno on the impact of burdensome regulations on the water supply of the San Joaquin Valley. Nothing demonstrates the devastating impact of these regulations more than the Bureau of Reclamation’s announcement today of just 5% more water for our Valley.
“When the President flies to San Francisco next month, we hope he takes the time to look out the window and see the impact his Administration is having on the forgotten San Joaquin Valley’s water supply. Unlike previous years when federal officials could legitimately claim that water supply reductions were due, in part, to drought conditions, this year demonstrates the draconian impact these regulations have on the people who live and work on the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley. … “
Continue reading from Congressman Cardoza’s website by clicking here.
This just in … Reclamation announces updated 2011 Water Supply Allocation for California’s CVP
Posted by: Maven on March 22, 2011 at 1:26 pmFrom the Bureau of Reclamation:
“The Bureau of Reclamation today announced an update to its Central Valley Project (CVP) Water Supply Allocation for the 2011 contract year. This updated allocation reflects improved precipitation and snowpack in the Sierra Nevadas to date.
“Thanks to a steady influx of rain and snowfall in February and March, the CVP water supply is above average for this date,” Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor said today. “The initial allocation on February 18, 2011, for most CVP contractors was 100 percent of their contract supply. Today we announce an increase for South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors from their initial allocation of 50 percent to 55 percent. The South-of-Delta Municipal and Industrial (M&I) water service contractors will also see an increase from 75 percent to 80 percent of historic use.” … “
Continue reading from the Bureau of Reclamation by clicking here.
Seems to be plenty of water around; yesterday, the Bureau of Reclamation announced extra water for Friant contractors.
Judge Wanger rejects water suit over CVP deliveries
Posted by: Maven on March 4, 2011 at 9:14 amFrom the Capital Press:
“The U.S. Interior Department did not violate reclamation law by curtailing water deliveries to irrigators in California’s Central Valley Project, according to a federal judge.
Plaintiffs in the case — the San Luis Unit Food Producers — claimed that several federal reclamation statutes require the Interior Department to deliver water to irrigators.
The group filed a complaint in 2009, alleging the government had violated the statutes by unlawfully withholding water, allowing “works to sit substantially idle so that water may flow to the Pacific” for environmental purposes. … “
Continue reading from the Capital Press by clicking here.
Spreck Rosekrans: Beyond the politics – an improved water supply outlook for California in 2011
Posted by: Maven on February 22, 2011 at 8:23 amFrom Spreck Rosekrans at the Environmental Defense Fund’s On the Water Front blog:
“For those that follow California’s “water wars”, it was tough to find the love on Valentine’s Day last week after the House of Representatives voted to defund federal agencies’ ability to implement the Endangered Species Act and the San Joaquin River restoration plan. These radical proposals, opposed even by some of the water agencies they are intended to help, are just one piece of the much larger political battle taking place in the halls of Congress over our national budget.
But Friday’s water supply announcement by the Bureau of Reclamation reminds us that the effect of the Endangered Species Act’s “Biological Opinions” to protect Delta smelt and salmon are limited in scope and do not affect the vast majority of California agriculture. The Bureau’s Central Valley Project expects to deliver full contract supplies for almost 5,000,000 acre-feet of water to farmers throughout the Central Valley. It is only on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley that Agricultural Service contractors will receive only 50% of their maximum contract entitlement – roughly 1,000,000 acre-feet out of 2,000,000 acre-feet. … “
Continue reading from the On the Water Front blog by clicking here.
This just in … Secretary Salazar announces improved initial 2011 water supply allocation for California’s Central Valley Project
Posted by: Maven on February 18, 2011 at 2:25 pmFrom YubaNet.com:
“Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the Bureau of Reclamation’s Initial Central Valley Project (CVP) Water Supply Allocation for the 2011 contract year. This allocation reflects precipitation and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada to date and improved carryover reservoir storage.
“Thanks to heavy storms in the last months of 2010, the CVP water supply is generally above-average for this date despite a dry January,” said Secretary Salazar. “Although this allocation is greatly improved over 2010′s initial allocation, and most CVP contractors will receive 100 percent of their contract supply, South- of-Delta water service contractors still face challenging water supply conditions, particularly given the past few dry years and regulatory constraints. We will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to secure more reliable water supplies for water users South-of-Delta while addressing significant ecological issues.” … “
Continue reading from YubaNet.com by clicking here.
Tuesday’s top of the scroll: Reclamation announces additional water available for California’s Central Valley Project South-of-Delta Contractors
Posted by: Maven on February 8, 2011 at 8:49 amFrom the Bureau of Reclamation:
“Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor announced today that Reclamation has determined that current hydrologic conditions in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, export and operational capability at the C.W. “Bill” Jones Pumping Plant (Jones Pumping Plant), and storage conditions at San Luis Reservoir have provided an opportunity to make available otherwise non-storable Section 215 water for Central Valley Project (CVP) South-of-Delta contractors.
“We attribute the availability of this water to improved conditions in 2010 and 2011 that have allowed Reclamation to operate the Jones Pumping Plant at near capacity since July 1, 2010,” stated Connor. “This action will allow the CVP to better meet South-of-Delta water needs while we continue to work with all interests to find a balanced long-term solution to the Delta.”
The federal share of San Luis Reservoir, which totals about 965,000 acre-feet, filled on February 6, 2011, and current CVP water demands in the South-of-Delta service area are less than the operational and export capability at the Jones Pumping Plant; therefore, additional water may be made available in the CVP service area to meet other water demands. This announcement means that Reclamation can deliver water to those contractors that enter into a “Temporary Water Service Contract for Surplus Water” with Reclamation. … “
Continue reading from the Bureau of Reclamation by clicking here.
Doug Obegi/NRDC: Allocations show a better water year for California
Posted by: Maven on January 27, 2011 at 7:57 amFrom Doug Obegi at the NRDC Switchboard blog:
“Thankfully, 2011 is shaping up to be a better water year than the past several years, which is great news for farmers, fishermen, cities, and the environment. The Central Valley Project is estimating it will deliver more than 7.1 million acre feet to farmers and cities throughout California, which is around 75% of the CVP’s total maximum contract amounts. The State Water Project is estimating it will deliver 60% of maximum contract amounts of 4.23 million acre-feet. Together, that’s nearly 10 million acre-feet of water that will be drawn for our rivers and streams for consumptive use this year by the SWP and CVP. … “
Continue reading from the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.
Friant Forecast: Less water for contractors
Posted by: Maven on January 22, 2011 at 7:46 amFrom the Porterville Recorder:
“The December Deluge is turning into a January Jump in water deliveries for eastside growers.
A “conservative forecast” is calling for Friant Division contractors to receive 100 percent of Class 1 water and 15 percent of Class 2 water in 2011, Friant Water Authority General Manager Ron Jacobsma said Thursday.
Friant Division contractors, whose water supply is delivered from Millerton Reservoir on the San Joaquin River, are forecasted to receive 800,000 acre feet of Class 1 water and 210,000 acre feet out of a possible 1.4 million acre feet of Class 2 water. … “
Continue reading from the Porterville Recorder by clicking here.
Congressman McClintock: Water, water everywhere…except for California’s farms
Posted by: Maven on January 20, 2011 at 8:59 amFrom the Auburn Journal, Congressman Tom McClintock’s remarks regarding the potential 45% water allocation for Central Valley farmers:
“M. Speaker:
The Department of Interior issued an announcement yesterday that perfectly illustrates the irrationality of our current approach to water issues.
California’s precipitation this season has gone off the charts. Statewide snow water content is 198 percent of normal; in the all-important Northern Sierra snowpack is 174 percent of normal. This is not only a wet year – it is one of the wettest years on record.
Yet yesterday, we have this announcement from the Department of the Interior: that despite a nearly unprecedented abundance of water, the Bureau of Reclamation will only guarantee delivery of 45 percent of the California Central Valley’s contracted water supply south of the Delta. This is the same percentage they received last year with barely average rainfall.
This is of crucial importance to the entire nation, since the Central Valley of California is one of the largest producers of our nation’s food supply. California produces half of the U.S.-grown fruits, nuts and vegetables on the nation’s grocery shelves and the prices you pay are directly affected by the California harvest. … “
Continue reading from the Auburn Journal by clicking here.
Wednesday’s top of the scroll: Feds deliver optimistic forecast for water deliveries, but water forecast still falls short for Valley farmers
Posted by: Maven on January 19, 2011 at 8:46 am
From the Sacramento Bee:
“Federal officials on Tuesday unveiled a water supply projection for 2011 that is considerably rosier than last year.
Thanks to a Sierra Nevada snowpack that stands at 198 percent of normal for this date, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that its urban water customers north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are likely to get 100 percent of their contract water deliveries. That compares to 55 percent projected at this time last year. … “
Continue reading from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
” … Though the first water allocations won’t be official until February – and this winter’s La Niña pattern could still deliver a dry February and March – the state’s multibillion-dollar agriculture industry is heartened by the early estimates. Between 2006 and 2009, especially dry weather and environmental restrictions on pumping through the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta forced farmers to fallow fields and plow under water-hungry crops, said Paul Wenger, president of the California Farm Bureau Federation.
“It’s been wet early, so that allows folks to start planting seasonal fruits and vegetables in the valley that they might not have in the past few years – tomatoes, melons, peppers and other commodities,” said Wenger, a Modesto area almond and walnut grower. … “
Continue reading from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
From the Fresno Bee:
” … Federal officials predicted west-side growers will get 45% of their full allotment of Central Valley Project water this season. The forecast was only 5% last year and zero in 2009.
If the big storms of this winter continue, the allotment could rise, the Interior Department says. The Sierra snowpack is nearly 160% of average right now.
Tuesday’s forecast means farmers can make earlier plans this year for loans and row crops, such as tomatoes or cotton. The higher forecast this early may allow a 50% increase in cotton acreage in Fresno County.
But for farmers with permanent crops, such as orchards, 45% won’t be enough. … “
Continue reading from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
MORE COVERAGE:
- Sacramento suburbs told to expect 100% of federal water allotments, from the Sacramento Bee
- Tulare County reservoirs rise, from the Visalia Times-Delta
- Interior cites encouraging outlook for 2011 water supply allocations for California’s Central Valley Project, from YubaNet.com
Photo of Mammoth snow by flickr photographer Chief Ranger.
Congressman Cardoza: Water shortage during rainy year shows system is broken: “When you consider the above-average rainfall we’ve had this year … we should have been given 100% of our contract supply”
Posted by: Maven on January 19, 2011 at 8:33 am
From the website of Congressman Dennis Cardoza:
“Congressman Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) today responded to the Department of Interior’s first forecast of 2011 Water Supply Allocations for California’s Central Valley. While precipitation and snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains are significantly above average this year, agricultural water service contractors in the South-of-Delta region are only forecasted to receive 45 percent of their contract supply – the same percentage as they received in 2010.
“Compared to what farmers in the San Joaquin experienced during these past few years, 45% is a good first step, and we will hold the Department of Interior to its commitment to increase the allocation as the water year develops,” said Congressman Cardoza. “But when you consider the above-average rainfall we’ve had this year, and the fact that by the federal government’s own estimates the snowpack in the Northern Sierras is at 174 percent of average, we should have been given 100% of our contract supply. The reality is that we’ve had great conditions this year, and yet our water allocation remained the same because of our broken water regulatory system in California.
“This needs to change. We need common sense in our regulatory system and additional storage facilities so that, during times of plenty, water can be set aside for use during periods of drought. I will fight to increase our 2011 water allocation, and also to repair the broken regulatory process so our farmers get the fair treatment they need to grow our nation’s food.”
Last year, Congressman Cardoza successfully fought to increase the water allocation for Westside San Joaquin Valley farmers from an initial 5% in February’s forecast up to a final allocation of 45% in June.
Today’s forecast will be followed by an official water allocation announcement of Water Year 2011 in mid-February. “
This just in … Feds increase Valley water allocation to 45%
Posted by: Maven on January 18, 2011 at 3:28 pmFrom the Central Valley Business Times:
“The U.S. Department of the Interior Tuesday says it expects to supply 45 percent of the amount of water contracted for to south of the Delta agricultural contractors from its Central Valley Project in 2011, according to Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno.
Last year’s initial water allocation was 5 percent.
“This is good news for Valley jobs and our economy,” says Mr. Costa. “An increased forecast will allow our farmers to start planning for the coming growing season. Advanced planning will have a ripple effect throughout our economy, from growers to local businesses.” … “
Continue reading from the Central Valley Business Times by clicking here.
Friant-Kern Canal getting needed repairs
Posted by: Maven on December 4, 2010 at 10:18 amFrom the Porterville Recorder:
“Like most things 50 years old, the Friant Kern Canal is in need of a little maintenance now and then.
This month workers with the Friant Water Users Authority are draining the 152-mile cement canal for its three-year checkup and repairs.
“We dewater the canal every three years. It’s a tri-annual effort,” said Ron Jacobsma, general manager of the Water Authority. … “
Continue reading from the Porterville Recorder by clicking here.
Intertie hailed as important step
Posted by: Maven on October 22, 2010 at 8:13 amFrom the Capital Press:
“After declaring victory on a long-fought effort to connect the state and federal water projects with a new pipeline, politicians and government officials are hoping they can build momentum for solving California’s continuing water challenges.
At an Oct. 14 groundbreaking ceremony near Tracy, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar called the project — the Delta-Mendota Canal/California Aqueduct Intertie, a short pipeline that will connect the federal and state conveyance facilities — a demonstration of what state and federal agencies can accomplish together.
“Something that started decades ago is now becoming reality,” Salazar said. “While we celebrate the progress today .. we have some very significant challenges ahead of us.” … “
Continue reading from the Capital Press by clicking here.
Ground finally broken on Delta ‘intertie’
Posted by: Maven on October 18, 2010 at 8:49 amFrom the Stockton Record:
“The fact that little has been done to expand California’s water infrastructure over the past half century might explain why a member of the Obama Cabinet, a senior U.S. senator and more than a dozen other elected officials celebrated as “historic” a 500-foot-long pipe on Thursday.
When it’s built, that pipeline – known as the “intertie” – will connect the California Aqueduct with the Delta-Mendota Canal west of Tracy, allowing more water to be exported from the Delta under certain conditions.
This is just the beginning, officials vowed. One water exporter suggested that Thursday’s groundbreaking could be a “dress rehearsal for much bigger things to come” – such as, perhaps, a peripheral canal or tunnel. … “
Continue reading from the Stockton Record by clicking here.
Moving water will get easier: New south of Delta pipeline will tie the San Joaquin River flow to the California Aqueduct
Posted by: Maven on August 1, 2010 at 7:03 am
From Sierra 2 the Sea:
“A water project that will help water users move water where it is needed and even recirculate water used for San Joaquin River restoration is moving forward this fall just as the world enters an apparent La Nina climate pattern. A cooling of the equatorial waters, La Nina typically means drier conditions in the Southwest but sometimes more rain in the northern part of California. The weather pattern is likely to affect the state’s rainfall this winter.
Advocates of additional water infrastructure in California have made the argument that connecting the state with dams and canals helps meet critical water needs for urban, farm and environmental purposes. Long term climate change is likely to increase the need to capture and store supply as well as insure reliability to move water south of the Delta where most of the state’s population lives. … “
Continue reading from Sierra 2 the Sea by clicking here.
Friday’s top of the scroll: California Aqueduct/Delta-Mendota intertie project gets $14.6 Million
Posted by: Maven on July 30, 2010 at 7:33 amFrom the Central Valley Business Times:
“A $14.6 million contract, with the money coming from the federal stimulus act, has been awarded to Shimmick Construction of Oakland to build a pumping plant and pipeline to link the Delta-Mendota Canal and the California Aqueduct.
The project is about five miles west of Tracy and when completed is expected to allow greater utilization of the capacity at the state and federal Jones Pumping Plant. The “Intertie” will also allow for maintenance and repair activities and provide a greater ability to respond to emergencies, the government says. … “
Continue reading from the Central Valley Business Times by clicking here.
Aquafornia's Information Desk
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | |||
Click here for full-sized calendar
Aquafornia's Photos on Flickr
Aquafornia's Mission
Aquafornia's mission is to educate readers about the complex and often controversial issues surrounding water in California.
Aquafornia is affiliated with the Water Education Foundation, an impartial, nonprofit organization, whose mission is to create a better understanding of water resources and foster public understanding and resolution of water resource issues through facilitation, education and outreach.
E-mail Newsletter
To receive email announcements from the Water Education Foundation, sign up here.
Web Resources
Agriculture
Climate Change & Water
Conservation
Current Conditions
Delta & SF Bay Resources
- Bay Delta Developments
- Bay Institute
- Bay-Delta Conservation Plan
- Delta Atlas
- Delta Protection Commission
- Delta Stewardship Council
- Delta Vision Foundation
- Delta WaterMaster
- Discover the Delta Foundation
- Restore the Delta
- San Francisco Bay and Delta (Access USGS)
- San Francisco Baykeeper
- San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science website
- San Francisco Estuary Partnership
Employment & Water
Environmental Organizations
Fishing Blogs/Organizations
Investing & Water
Landscaping
Legal Blogs
Legislative Committees - State & Federal
- California State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife
- California State Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Water
- House Natural Resource Committee, Water & Power Subcommittee
- New State Water Legislation Mandates (KMTG)
- Senate Commitee on Environment & Public Works, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee
- The California Channel
Los Angeles River
Maven's Other Websites
News
Public Policy Organizations
Regional Water Associations
Salton Sea
Stormwater & Flood Control
Water Agencies
- ACWA – Association of California Water Agencies
- Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency
- Contra Costa Water District
- East Bay Municipal Utility District
- Imperial Irrigation District
- Kern County Water Agency
- Long Beach Water Department
- Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
- Metropolitan Water District
- Municipal Water District of Orange County
- San Diego County Water Authority
- Santa Clara Valley Water District
- Sonoma County Water Agencies
- South San Joaquin Irrigation District
- State Water Contractors
- West Basin Municipal Water District
- Westlands Water District
Water Agencies - State & Federal
Water Blogs
- ACWA's Voices in Water blog
- Aguanomics
- Alex Breitler's Blog
- American Water Resources Assn. Blog
- Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard
- Bay Delta Blog
- California Water Blog
- California Water Wars blog
- Chance of Rain
- Chronicles of the Hydraulic Brotherhood
- Delta National Park Blog
- EDF's On The Waterfront
- Greed, Green & Grains
- Green Roots Blog (PCL)
- GrokSurf's San Diego blog
- Inkstain – jfleck
- Klam Blog
- L. A. Creek Freak
- On the Public Record
- Peter Gleick’s City Brights blog
- Restore the Delta's blog
- Southern California Water Committee Blog
- Spouting Off – Mark Gold of Heal the Bay
- State of the Planet Blog
- The California Spigot
- Thirsty in Suburbia
- Tom Philp's Blog
- Valley Economy Blog
- Water Cooler Blog
- Water Librarian's Blog
- Water SISWEB
- Waterblogged (Shawn McKinnon)
- Watering the Desert
- WaterWired
Water Information
News Article Archives
- Agriculture
- Aquafornia News & Exclusives
- Central Valley Project
- Climate change & water supply
- Conservation
- Delta Issues
- Desalination
- Development & Population
- Drinking Water & Bottled Water
- Drought Tolerant Landscaping
- Drought, Weather & Snowpack
- Energy & Water
- Events
- Flood Control/Stormwater
- General Water Issues
- Groundwater
- History
- Indian Water Rights
- Infrastructure
- Innovative Ideas
- International Water Issues
- Invasive Plants & Species
- Investing in water
- Legislation – State & Federal
- Levees
- National water news
- Oceans & Beaches
- People in the News
- Politics of Water
- Recycled Water
- Regional Water Issues
- San Joaquin River Restoration
- State Water Project (DWR)
- Storage and supply
- Transfers
- Uncategorized
- Water Agency News
- Water Banking
- Water Quality
- Water Rights
- Weird & Wacky Water News
- Wildlife & Endangered Species