This just in … State Water Project delivery forecast remains at 15% despite CVP increase
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 16, 2010 at 12:06 pm
From the Department of Water Resources:
“Sacramento – Although the Central Valley Project today increased its water delivery allocation, the Department of Water Resources is unable at this time to increase allocations.
“It is clear that both the state and federal water projects face great challenges in delivering the amount of water that our farms, businesses and residents need this year,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “We will continue to work aggressively in looking for opportunities to improve water supplies to the State Water Project (SWP) contractors this year, and for long-term solutions to improve water supply reliability for California.”
Poor hydrologic conditions in the Feather River watershed, which feeds into Lake Oroville, is preventing DWR from raising the current 15 percent allocation for 2010 State Water Project deliveries at this time.
The CVP has substantially more water in storage than the SWP, largely due to this winter’s precipitation patterns. Lake Shasta, north of Redding, the CVP’s largest reservoir, is at 104 percent of average for this time of year, and 81 percent of capacity. Lake Oroville in Butte County, the SWP’s principal storage reservoir, is only at 57 percent of normal for this time of year, and 43 percent of capacity.Depending on how hydrology improves, DWR will increase the delivery allocation accordingly. The initial 2010 allocation, announced in December 2009, was 5 percent of contractor requests. DWR raised the initial allocation to 15 percent in February.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.”
California Department of Water Resources appealing citations following Oroville Dam accident
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 10, 2010 at 5:47 amFrom HydroWorld:
“The California Division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined the state’s Department of Water Resources following a 2009 accident at the Edward Hyatt hydropower plant. DWR is appealing the citations, wire services reported.
Last July, a steel panel in a dam tunnel collapsed at the hydroelectric facility located at the base of the Oroville Dam, injuring five employees, according to media reports.
At the time, workers were performing tests on two valves that regulate the flow of river water from the Feather River to the hydropower plant, wire reports indicate. … “
Continue reading this brief article from HydroWorld by clicking here.
Alex Brietler’s blog: Legislative Analyst Office should audit DWR’s bond spending
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on March 9, 2010 at 9:14 amFrom Alex Breitler’s blog:
“While there’s a lot of talk about the $11.1 billion water bond on the November ballot, the general public may not realize that Department of Water Resources has already been on the receiving end of over $15 billion in bond funds over the past decade. Of that sum, several billion are still available, according to a report released today by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office.
In its analysis of the governor’s proposed budget for natural resources, the LAO concluded that DWR bond spending should be audited.
“These recent increases in the availability of bond funding for DWR are unprecedented in their magnitude,” the report says. “This has led to concerns about the department’s capacity to effectively manage such a high level of funding.” … “
Continue reading this post from Alex Breitler’s blog by clicking here.
Department of Water Resoures: Water delivery projection remains low
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 26, 2010 at 10:54 amFrom the Department of Water Resources:
SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today increased anticipated 2010 State Water Project deliveries to California’s water contractors from five to 15 percent of requests. If this amount remains unchanged by the final allocation in late spring this will be the lowest allocation percentage in the project’s history.
“Despite a relatively wet winter our reservoir storage levels remain low,” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “After three years of drought conditions and a number of mandated pumping restrictions even a wet year won’t get us out of the woods. We need increased conservation, a more reliable water delivery system and a comprehensive solution for California’s water crisis.”
Lake Oroville is at only 54% of its average storage level for this time of year. And while San Luis Reservoir is at 80% of normal for this time of year, the vast majority of that supply is unavailable for this year’s allocation. Most of the supply in San Luis is earmarked for individual water contractors who are trying to stretch these supplies carried over from previous years. So supplies in two key State Water Project reservoirs are well below where DWR would like them to be.
Another hydrologic condition affecting the allocation amount is the condition of the watershed. After three years of drought, the watershed is dry and will likely absorb more of the snowpack. Therefore, less runoff from the snowpack is expected.
However, the allocation at this time of year is a conservative estimate. As winter progresses and the Department has a clearer picture of water conditions, the allocation can be increased. There is a 90 percent chance that the allocation will improve by late spring. If average precipitation continues, the final allocation will likely be in the range of 35-45 percent of requested amounts. That spread is based on how the biological opinions to protect fish species are applied and how much flexibility the Department has to pump water.
In 2009, the State Water Project delivered 40 percent of customer requests. The federal Central Valley Project was only able to deliver 10 percent of contracted amounts to some agricultural areas in the San Joaquin Valley.
The reduced deliveries were due both to dry weather and fishery agency restrictions on pumping to protect fish species; principally Delta smelt, salmon, and longfin smelt.
The historical average of final State Water Project allocations over the past 10 years has been 68 percent of contractors’ requests.
Electronic readings indicate that statewide, water content in the Sierra snowpack currently is 103 percent of normal for the date. The crucial reading will be at the beginning of April, when snowpack water content normally is at its peak before the spring melt into rivers and reservoirs.
Governor Schwarzenegger has championed a comprehensive water plan that he recently signed into law. The package would safeguard the state’s water supply through conservation, more surface and groundwater storage, new investments in the state’s aging water infrastructure and an improved water conveyance system to protect the environment and provide a reliable water supply.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.
Barry Nelson: Assemblyman Huffman writes to DWR about state-created CESA violation
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 11, 2010 at 2:01 pmFrom Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard blog:
“My colleague Kate Poole wrote here about the risk that, should it succeed in its efforts to invalidate current ESA protections in the Delta, the Department of Water Resources would put itself in violation of the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
Yesterday, Assemblyman Huffman, chairman of the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife Committee, sent DWR a letter chronicling the agency’s convoluted path toward compliance with CESA – and the risk that the state’s own legal strategy could result in a violation of state law. He asks DWR to explain how it intends to meet the requirements of CESA, should the federal courts block either of the federal biological opinions that regulate the operations of the pumps in the Delta. DWR’s reply should make interesting reading. … “
Continue reading this post from Barry Nelson by clicking here. Read the letter from Assemblyman Huffman by clicking here.
New Director Mark Cowin offers ‘straightforward’ vision for DWR
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 10, 2010 at 4:50 pm
From the California Water Plan e-News:
“Department of Water Resources Director Mark Cowin has offered a vision for the department. Cowin took over this month from Lester Snow, who is now secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.
“My vision for DWR is straightforward,” Cowin wrote. “We must continue to lead California towards more sustainable, integrated resources management to provide for a productive economy, healthy ecosystem, and desirable quality of life for all Californians.” He continued, “It is also the vision described in the 2005 and 2009 Updates of the California Water Plan.”
Read Mark Cowin’s memo to DWR Employees by clicking here.
Barry Nelson: State legal strategy in the Delta conflicts with state legal requirements
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 5, 2010 at 8:19 amFrom Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard Blog:
“Yesterday, a federal judge refused the Department of Water Resources’ “nonopposition” to a request to block ESA protections for the delta smelt under the Endangered Species Act. The court, however, has not yet ruled on the request to weaken protections for listed salmon and other species. The state’s position in this case is in conflict with two important legal requirements.
The first conflict is with SB 7×1 — the Delta governance bill passed in November. That bill requires the state’s Bay-Delta Conservation Plan to meet the requirements of the Natural Communities Conservation Planning Act – the state’s highest standard for ecosystem restoration and species recovery — which requires the development of a science based program to protect and restore listed species. … “
Continue reading this post from Barry Nelson at the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.
Kate Poole: Is the Department of Water Resources trying to shut down the State Water Project?
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 5, 2010 at 8:17 amFrom Kate Poole at the NRDC Switchboard blog:
“It’s an odd strategy for the agency charged with operating California’s primary water supply system to try to shut it down. But that is exactly where the Department of Water Resources (DWR) is headed. Let’s hope the state reverses course before it’s too late.
The State Water Project supplies some portion of drinking water to over 23 million people. It is comprised of a series of reservoirs (such as Oroville on the Feather River), pumping plants (including the massive Banks pumping plant in the south Delta) and conveyance canals (the most notable of which is the California Aqueduct, which transports water from Stockton all the way down to Riverside). For the last 50 years, the state has grown up around the State Water Project and relies on DWR to competently run it.
So why is DWR pursuing a reckless legal strategy that, if successful, will shut down the Banks pumping plant and turn the aqueduct into the world’s longest skateboard park? … “
Continue reading this post from Kate Poole at the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.
DWR certifies EIR for Monterey Amendment to State Water Project contracts
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on February 5, 2010 at 8:02 amFrom the Delta e-News:
“DWR on Monday certified the Monterey Plus Final EIR for the Monterey Amendment to the State Water Project Contracts (Including kern Water Bank Transfer) and Associated Actions as Part of a Settlement Agreement (Monterey Plus).
The Monterey EIR is aimed at identifying potential environmental impacts resulting from modifications to water supply contracts. In 1994, DWR and some of the contractors, meeting in Monterey,
executed the Monterey Agreement to modify the long-term water supply contracts. These modifications were incorporated into the long-term water supply contracts in what became known as the Monterey Amendment.A decision regarding approval of the proposed project will be made later.”
You can learn more about the Monterey Agreement by clicking here.
Battle expected over water pipeline: Intertie would link two major canals by 2011
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 23, 2010 at 8:31 am
From the Fresno Bee:
“Work is finally supposed to start this spring on pipelines connecting California’s two most important canals, allowing a little more water to be pumped for west San Joaquin Valley farms.
But the project, conceived more than two decades ago, is a prime target for an environmental lawsuit and delay — again.
The connection would be called the California Aqueduct and Delta-Mendota Canal Intertie, and it would be ready to use in late 2011, if it isn’t held up by a lawsuit.
Officials would use two 500-foot pipelines west of Tracy to send extra water to the massive California Aqueduct from the smaller and sometimes inadequate Delta-Mendota Canal — water that otherwise might end up in the ocean. That would allow more irrigation water to be stored at San Luis Reservoir — a piece of good news for farmers who have suffered severe cutbacks. … “
But don’t expect it to go smoothly:
” … pumping any more water — even a small amount — from the broken delta is too much, say environmentalists and fishing groups. They say the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s environmental studies for the project ignored many issues, including the dying fish populations and poor water quality in the delta.
They expect to sue in hopes of stopping the intertie. Their lawsuit in 2006 forced an extensive environmental study, which environmentalists and fishing groups say still does not satisfy the law.
“The environmental work is grossly deficient,” said Bill Jennings, executive director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance in Stockton. “You can’t continue pumping more and more water here.” … “
Read more from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
Here’s the Bay-Delta blog’s in-depth look at the intertie project posted earlier this month.
Intertie gets federal green light; Construction on project expected to start by May, 2011
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 8, 2010 at 8:39 amFrom the Capital Press:
“With a final regulatory hurdle cleared, water managers expect to get California’s Intertie project under construction by May, but it will cost nearly 30 percent more than originally estimated.
A federal fast-tracking has kept the Delta-Mendota Canal-California Aqueduct Intertie project on schedule. That means it could be completed by fall 2011.
“These things typically take a longer time frame, but we’re focusing a lot of attention and resources on it,” said Gwen Knittweis, a supervising engineer with the state Department of Water Resources. “I have a lot of papers on my desk pertaining to this one.” … “
Read more from the Capital Press by clicking here.
Bay Delta blog: Record of Decision for the Delta-Mendota Canal / California Aqueduct Intertie
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 4, 2010 at 8:19 am
From the Bay Delta blog:
“Last week, in the final days of 2009, it was announced that the long-planned Delta Mendota Canal/California Aqueduct Intertie project finally got its Record of Decision from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The federal government, in its Interim Action Plan for the Bay-Delta (PDF), released on December 22, 2009, also listed the Intertie as a priority project to expedite, aiming to have construction start by June 2010 and completed by October 2011.
The $34 million proposed Intertie, which will be located in Alameda County generally west of Tracy, would connect the Delta-Mendota Canal, a federal facility, to the California Aqueduct, a state facility. The proposed project takes the form of a pipeline connection from milepost 7.2 of the Delta-Mendota to milepost 9 of the Aqueduct, where the state and federal projects are only about 500 feet apart. … “
Continue reading this post at the Bay Delta blog by clicking here.
C-WIN: The Monterey Amendments to State Water Project contracts
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on January 2, 2010 at 7:56 am
From the California Water Impact Network:
“Drought from 1987 to 1992, and again in 1994, financial crisis among state water contractors, and the prospect of severe regulation of Delta exports by the State Water Project (SWP) provoked the project’s most serious crisis.
In 1994 four of its contractors, including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Kern County Water Agency which together control about 75 percent of State Water Project allocations, met in secret in Monterey with representatives of Paramount Farming (a private corporation) to attempt to resolve their water shortage.
The result was the Monterey Amendments to the State Water Project contracts.
These contracts lay out the contractors’ and state’s obligations concerning delivery of water under both surplus and drought conditions. … “
Delta Intertie gets environmental approval
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 30, 2009 at 6:25 amFrom the Eureka Times-Standard:
“A plan to connect state and federal canals to improve the reliability of water deliveries across the San Joaquin Valley and beyond has received environmental approval.
The $34 million Intertie Project would connect the Delta Mendota Canal and the California Aqueduct using a 500-foot underground pipe and pumps. … “
Read more from the Eureka Times-Standard by clicking here.
Congressman McCarthy calls for up or down vote on Turning on the Pumps
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:25 am
From the Office of Congressman Kevin McCarthy:
“WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, the California State Water Project announced that its allocation for 2010 would be the lowest allocation of water in history. Congressman McCarthy and several of his California colleagues signed a discharge petition for The Turn on the Pumps Act (H.R. 3105), of which he is a cosponsor, and McCarthy and colleagues are urging other members of Congress to join them to bring this legislation to the floor. This legislation would waive the regulatory burdens that restrict Delta water pumping, which would help restore California water flow. A discharge petition requires 218 signatures and would allow for a straight up or down vote to override Democratic Congressional leadership scheduling barriers.
McCarthy issued the following statement:
“Our communities and local job creators urgently need water to help our local economy. We have been waiting too long and experienced too much hardship. Enough is enough. Now is the time for this Congress to take real bipartisan action to solve the San Joaquin Valley’s man-made drought. That is why I will continue to work with my colleagues to help finally pass this common sense solution to bring relief to our communities. This bill deserves an up or down vote.”
Related:
McCarthy has continued to work to raise awareness of our local crisis and advocate for common-sense relief measures. Congressman McCarthy has also cosponsored the following bills to help alleviate the man-made water crisis in the San Joaquin Valley:
• H.R. 856, (California Drought Alleviation Act of 2009) which would increase water deliveries to the Central Valley and Southern California urban and agriculture users by waiving regulations regarding the smelt fish at Delta pumps during times of drought.
• H.R. 996, which would increase water deliveries by temporarily exempting the operations of any water supply or flood control project from ESA when the Governor declares an emergency.
• H.R. 2977, would authorize a National Academy of Sciences study on all the stressors in the Delta affecting the species in it; the study would also review the science used in conducting the Biological Opinion on operations of the pumps in the Delta (the result of which is reduced water deliveries).”
Severe water delivery cutbacks: Necessary or tactic?
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:24 amFrom KQED Radio:
“The state’s water managers say California is so dry that they can only promise to deliver five percent of the water customers want for the coming year. Critics of the state’s water policy say the threatened supply cut is a tactic intended to build support for an $11 billion water bond measure on next November’s ballot. So where does the state’s water supply really stand after three years of drought? ”
Host: Cy Musiker
Guests:
* Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute
More at KQED Radio website by clicking here.
Congressman Costa’s statement on SWP Allocation
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:23 am
From the Office of Congressman Jim Costa:
“Following the Department of Water Resource’s initial announcement of a 5 percent water allocation for San Joaquin Valley Farmers, Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno) made the following statement.
“This is the worst news our farmers, farm workers and farm communities could have been told today. The water crisis has devastated our local economy and put thousands of Valley residents out of work. For the past 18 months, Congressman Cardoza and I have worked tirelessly to bring relief to our Valley. We have been able to secure funding for twenty-five water projects, pass legislation to ease water transfers, and continue to press for short, mid and long-term solutions to this crisis. Today’s news is unacceptable. We need immediate action from both Governor Schwarzenegger and President Obama to ensure a stable water supply for Valley farms and cities this growing season.” “
Congressman Cardoza’s statement on SWP Allocation
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 3, 2009 at 8:20 am
From the Office of Congressman Dennis Cardoza:
“WASHINGTON, DC – The California Department of Water Resources initial allocation of just 5 percent for the State Water Project today is nothing short of an abomination. This is the lowest initial allocation of water that has ever been awarded in the history of this water system. We have moved beyond a regional water emergency and are now staring in the face of a statewide emergency and a potential national food crisis. It is this simple: Without water, our California farmers cannot grow the crops that feed our nation.
Over the past year my colleagues and I have provided numerous proposals – such as various water improvement projects and legislative fixes – that would provide real relief to our farmers and ensure water is delivered for their crops. Just last month, I introduced bipartisan legislation with my fellow Valley Congress members calling for a reconsultation of the biological opinions on salmon and smelt, as well as a review of the science and all of the factors affecting water quality in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This bill would force an objective scientific examination of the declines of fish populations in the Delta and prevent the pumps from being made the scapegoat for all the problems in the Delta.
The state’s water shortages are being exacerbated by the regulatory drought. It is essential that the U.S. Department of the Interior and other state and federal agencies provide greater flexibility in their water management decisions as well as work collaboratively with the state of California on the proposals my colleagues and I have offered to address the water shortages.
In addition to facing unemployment rates of more than 40 percent in some of our Valley farming communities, our nation today is one significant step closer to becoming an importer of the vegetables, fruits and nuts currently grown in California. This must end and it must end now. We have solutions. We simply need the appropriate agencies to explore every creative approach that can both turn on the pumps and jump start the California and national economies. … “
Water supplies in 2010 — Too early to tell
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 2, 2009 at 5:36 pmFrom Spreck Rosekranz at the Environmental Defense Fund’s On the Water Front blog:
“This morning, the Department of Water Resources released its December 1st water supply forecast predicting that State Water Project customers will receive only 5% of their contract entitlement in 2010.
It is worth noting, however, that these initial forecasts have historically been significantly increased later in the year. For example, the previous low initial forecast was 10%, made in 1993. After a wet winter, customers received 100% of their contract allocations.
Over the last 10 years, actual contract allocations have exceeded the December 1st forecast by an average 31%, or more than one million acre-feet of water. … “
Where’s the water? State resources sets historic low allotment
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 2, 2009 at 5:14 pmFrom the Turlock Journal:
“The California State Department of Water Resources made history on Tuesday by announcing the lowest ever initial water allocation percentage for State Water Project contractors.
The 29 State Water Project contractors requested the maximum contractual amount allowed, nearly 4.2 million acre-feet in total. The initial 2010 allocation is just five percent of that request, or roughly 210,000 acre-feet of water.“The California Department of Water Resources initial allocation of just 5 percent for the State Water Project today is nothing short of an abomination,” said U.S. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA18) in a press release. “This is the lowest initial allocation of water that has ever been awarded in the history of this water system. We have moved beyond a regional water emergency and are now staring in the face of a statewide emergency and a potential national food crisis. It is this simple: Without water, our California farmers cannot grow the crops that feed our nation.” … “
Read more from the Turlock Journal by clicking here.
Wednesday’s top of the scroll: Coverage wrap-up: State’s initial allocation hits historic low; “We have to assume we’re heading into a fourth year of drought and we have to respond accordingly,” says DWR’s Snow
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 2, 2009 at 7:58 amFrom the San Francisco Chronicle:
“Operators of the sprawling state system that supplies water to 25 million Californians from Butte County to San Diego issued their lowest-ever estimate on the amount of water they will be able to deliver.
Officials predicted Tuesday they will be able to offer only 5 percent of the total volume of water requested by California cities and farms next year. That’s the smallest water allocation the agency has released since its creation in 1967.
The estimate, based on current water conditions, is only preliminary and is almost certain to rise as the rainy season wears on. Still, officials expect a multiyear drought, low reservoirs and environmental restrictions on water pumping to keep supplies well below average in 2010.
“We have to assume we’re heading into a fourth year of drought and we have to respond accordingly,” said Lester Snow, director of the California Department of Water Resources, the state agency that operates the network of reservoirs, pumps and pipelines known as the State Water Project. … “
Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
From the San Diego Union Tribune:
” … The state Department of Water Resources routinely issues a cautious allocation in early December and then increases deliveries as winter storms roll in.
Five percent is a record low, illustrating the state’s plight of half-empty reservoirs and increasing demands to divert more water to restore the vital Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its dwindling populations of salmon, smelt and steelhead.
“California is not likely to emerge from this statewide water crisis until the delta is fixed,” said Dennis Cushman, assistant general manager of the San Diego County Water Authority.
The last time the state’s initial release approached single digits was in 1993, at 10 percent.
The equally squeezed U.S. Bureau of Reclamation isn’t expected to release its preliminary delivery schedule until Feb. 15. Deep cuts in federal and state allocations this year have forced many farmers to idle crops and farmhands. … “
Read more from the San Diego Union Tribune by clicking here.
From the Fresno Bee:
“While water deliveries could increase if more rain and snow falls over the winter months – a likely possibility if El Nino weather patterns hit California – Snow said the state had to assume it would be faced with a fourth year of drought.
“We’re putting people on notice to get on with conservation,” Snow said. “We’ll need to take measures because what if there is not only a fourth year of drought, but a fifth and sixth year?”
Last year, the state predicted it would deliver 15 percent of requested water but boosted that number to 40 percent by May.
State Water Project supplies feed most Southern California cities and help irrigate 750,000 farm acres scattered throughout the southern San Joaquin Valley, San Diego and Orange counties. … “
Read more from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
From the Contra Costa Times:
” … In addition, new regulations imposed to halt the sharp decline of Delta smelt and other fish could take another slice out of the supply of agencies that depend on water pumped out of the Delta, including parts of the East Bay, Kern County, Los Angeles and the rest of Southern California.
A spokeswoman for Zone 7, the water agency for Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore, said that in a worst-case scenario it could draw on groundwater and possible rationing to weather the lack of storms.
“We can’t sustain this forever,” said Zone 7 spokeswoman Boni Brewer, whose customers get 80 percent of their water from the Delta. “Long-term, we can’t sustain this. Short-term, were saying that we would be OK.”
If 2010 brings average rain and snow, Zone 7 and other users can expect just 20 percent to 40 percent of their contracted amounts, depending on how new Delta water rules are applied. … “
Read more from the Contra Costa Times by clicking here.
From Stockton’s Record:
” … San Joaquin County residents mostly do not rely on water pumped from the Delta. Stockton gets water from underground and from streams feeding the estuary.
So while Tuesday’s announcement doesn’t directly affect the county, a fourth year of drought would. New Hogan Lake on the Calaveras River was 49 percent of average Tuesday; New Melones Reservoir on the Stanislaus River was 85 percent of average.
Another year of drought could also intensify the struggle over how much water is exported from the Delta.
Those on the receiving end of that water said the 5 percent allocation is further evidence of the need for longer-term solutions in the Delta.
“We can hope for a wet winter, but we also need to expedite fixing the Delta so that when it does rain, we can actually use the water that is available,” Laura King Moon, with the State Water Contractors, said in a prepared statement. … “
Read more from the Record by clicking here.
Also from the Contra Costa Times:
“The DWR is one of two major suppliers to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which provides about 53 percent of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s water.
The DWP also gets about 35 percent of its water from the Los Angeles Aqueduct, pumped from the Owens Valley, and about 11 percent from local groundwater. About 1 percent is recycled.
Los Angeles used about 199 billion gallons of water during the last fiscal year, according to DWP, with an average use of 144 gallons per person per day.
DWP officials said they do not expect any further changes beyond the Phase Three requirements implemented in the past year.
“LADWP will be monitoring the allocations carefully,” spokesman Joe Ramallo said. “Today’s announcement is an initial forecast and, typically, increases as the winter snowpack develops. However, continued conservation is vitally important.” “
Read more from the Contra Costa Times by clicking here.
KQED’s Climate Watch blog shares some thoughts:
” … The announcement may have caught some by surprise, since Department of Water Resources (DWR) data would seem to show reservoirs at higher levels than last year at this time, with major reservoirs at 69% of storage capacity, compared to 57% last year.
When I asked DWR Deputy Director Susan Simms about it, even she was stumped at first. But then she called me back to say that the data includes both federal and state reservoirs, and the state’s storage levels at both Lake Oroville and San Luis Reservoir (shared with the feds) is actually lower than last year (52% and 48% of “normal,” respectively). And, she says, the state has to contend with pumping restrictions to protect both salmon and delta smelt this time around. … “
Read more from KQED’s Climate Watch blog by clicking here.
MORE INFORMATION:
- Read the DWR press release by clicking here.
- Check out a graphic of the latest reservoir conditions by clicking here.
Afternoon update: State Water Project initial water allocations hit record low
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 1, 2009 at 4:23 pmFrom the Sacramento Business Journal:
“The Department of Water Resources on Tuesday announced an initial 2010 water allocation of 5 percent of the total delivery contracts under the State Water Project.
Five percent is the lowest initial allocation since the State Water Project started deliveries in 1967.
The Department noted the initial allocation is a “very conservative” estimation of what it hopes to deliver; in 2009 the initial allocation was 15 percent and was increased to a final allocation of 40 percent in May.
The 29 contractors under the State Water Project together requested the maximum allowed — 4,171,996 acre feet. The Water Resources Department determined the initial allocation after looking at low carryover storage levels in the state’s reservoirs, three years of drought conditions and environmental restrictions on water deliveries in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. … “
Read more from the Sacramento Business Journal by clicking here.
MORE INFORMATION:
- Read the DWR press release by clicking here.
- Check out a graphic of the latest reservoir conditions by clicking here.
Gov. Schwarzenegger issues statement on initial 2010 State Water Project allocation
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 1, 2009 at 4:14 pmFrom Governor Schwarzenegger:
” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement after the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced a five percent initial allocation of total contracted water deliveries to the State Water Project (SWP) contractors for 2010, the lowest in SWP history:
“Today’s allotment announcement only highlights the dire situation the state’s water system is facing. This is further evidence that severe drought coupled with population growth has made it essential that we better store and move our fresh water throughout our state. I am encouraged that we are in a position to rebuild the system to withstand the drought situations so we are not forced to agonize over a clean, reliable water supply for future generations.”
More information on the 2010 SWP allocation can be found on the DWR website: http://www.water.ca.gov/. … “
As California’s Drought Continues, so does the need to conserve water
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 1, 2009 at 4:08 pmFrom Doug Obegi at the NRDC Switchboard Blog:
“Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that its initial allocation for State Water Project contractors would be 5 percent in 2010, unless there is more rainfall in the coming months. The initial forecast is intended to be very conservative, and is likely to increase. Last year’s initial allocation was 15 percent, and the year ended with a 40 percent allocation.
By and large, as DWR acknowledges, these low allocations are caused by the past three years of drought, which has resulted in low rainfall, low runoff and thus low storage in the State’s reservoirs. If this year turns out to be a normal year (average amount of rainfall and runoff in terms of hydrology), the director of DWR estimated that the final allocation this year may be in the range of 20-40 percent. That’d be a lot better than 5 percent. … “
Continue reading the rest of Doug Obegi’s post at the NRDC Switchboard blog by clicking here.
ACWA Media Statement: Record-low water allocation paints grim picture for 2010; Water agencies gearing up for shortages in potential fourth dry year
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 1, 2009 at 4:05 pmFrom MarketWire:
“SACRAMENTO, CA–(Marketwire – December 1, 2009) – Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) Executive Director Timothy Quinn issued the following statement today on the initial 2010 water supply allocations announced by the Department of Water Resources. The department has notified State Water Project contractors that they may receive just 5% of requested deliveries next year — the lowest initial allocation in the project’s history. SWP contractors deliver water to 25 million Californians and more than 750,000 acres of farmland.
“This extremely low allocation means we are in critical territory going into 2010. Last year’s reduced supplies compelled more than 60 water agencies to impose some form of mandatory conservation, and that will likely continue next year.
“Even if the coming months bring a return to normal rainfall, we can’t assume that our water supply outlook will improve significantly. Regulatory restrictions to protect species will make it difficult to deliver water even if it is available.
“The legislative water package approved by the Legislature last month and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger puts us on a path toward implementing solutions, but in the interim supplies will be tight for much of the state.
“Californians responded to calls for water conservation this year, with significant reductions in water use in many regions around the states. That response must escalate for the foreseeable future. ACWA is committed to raising the bar on conservation through the Save Our Water public education program launched earlier this year in partnership with the Department of Water Resources.”
ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 450 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com. “
Statement by Southern California Water Committee Chairman Charles Wilson regarding DWR’s announcement of initial 2010 State Water Project allocation
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 1, 2009 at 3:56 pmFrom the Southern California Water Committee:
““Today’s announcement that public water agencies have only been initially allocated 5% of their requested water deliveries from the State Water Project, the state’s primary water supply hub, for 2010 clearly demonstrates the depth of California’s water crisis. While this is a conservative, preliminary estimate, it is the lowest in California history.
Increasing conservation and pursuing projects to expand local water supplies are critical efforts that Southern California businesses, agricultural interests, municipalities and water agencies are
diligently advancing. However, even if California received massive levels of snow and rain this year, our broken delivery system in the Sacramento‐San Joaquin Delta would prohibit us from delivering that water to our region. Fixing the Delta delivery system, including new conveyance infrastructure, is of the utmost priority in 2010 for all California interests. ”Established in 1984, the Southern California Water Committee is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public education partnership dedicated to informing Southern Californians about our water needs and our state’s water resources. Spanning Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, Riverside, Ventura and Kern Counties, the SCWC’s members include representatives from business, government, agriculture, water agencies and the general public. Visit us at www.socalwater.org and find us on Facebook.”
DWR releases initial 2010 State Water Project Allocation: 5%, the lowest initial allocation in history of SWP
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on December 1, 2009 at 9:24 amFrom the Department of Water Resources:
“Sacramento – The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced an initial allocation of five percent of total contracted water deliveries to the State Water Project (SWP) contractors for 2010. Five percent is the lowest initial allocation percentage since the SWP began delivering water in 1967.
“The Legislature took a major step forward earlier this month to address the state’s water needs by heeding Governor Schwarzenegger’s call and passing the most comprehensive water package in California history,” said DWR Director Lester A. Snow. “Nevertheless, on the heels of a three-year drought, we need to prepare now so that we have adequate water supplies for homes, farms and businesses.”
The previous low for an initial allocation as a percentage of SWP contractors’ requests was 10 percent in 1993, but that number was increased to 100 percent during the year as supply conditions improved. The initial figure for 2009 of 15 percent was increased to a final allocation of 40 percent in May.
The historical average of final SWP allocations as a percentage of initial requests over the past 10 years has been 68 percent.
The initial allocation is a very conservative estimate of what DWR expects it can deliver as a percentage of SWP contractors’ initial requests for contracted water deliveries for a calendar year.
This year, the contractors have requested 100 percent of the maximum contractual amount allowed — 4,171,996 acre-feet. While the initial 2010 allocation is only five percent of that amount, actual deliveries are expected to increase during the year once actual hydrologic and water supply conditions are known. SWP contractors provide water to more than 25 million California residents and more than 750,000 acres of farmland.
The initial allocation figure reflects the low carryover storage levels in the state’s major reservoirs, ongoing drought conditions and federally mandated environmental restrictions on water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to protect endangered fish species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The Department of Fish and Game’s most recent survey indexes indicate that all four Delta pelagic fish species (Delta smelt, Longfin smelt, Striped bass and Threadfin shad) are at their lowest-ever population levels.
DWR will continue to monitor water supply conditions and drought impacts to identify any necessary supplemental response actions this year and will move aggressively to plan for a potentially dry 2010 in coordination with other state, federal and local agencies and the water community.
The announcement is part of the Department’s effort to implement Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Drought Executive Order (S-06-08) directing DWR to help local water districts and agencies proactively address these conditions. “
Final EIS for the Delta-Mendota Canal/California Aqueduct Intertie Project now available
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on November 23, 2009 at 7:55 amFrom the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation:
“The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Delta-Mendota Canal (DMC)/California Aqueduct (CA) Intertie (Intertie). The Intertie is designed to connect the DMC and the CA via a new pipeline and pumping plant to help improve DMC conveyance limitations, allow for maintenance and repair activities, and provide the flexibility to respond to Central Valley Project and State Water Project emergency water operations. This is a CALFED project which was identified in the August 2000 CALFED Bay-Delta Program Programmatic Record of Decision (ROD).
Reclamation, as the lead Federal agency for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), has prepared the Final EIS in accordance with NEPA. Reclamation will not make a decision on the Proposed Action until at least 30 days after release of the Final EIS. After the 30-day waiting period, Reclamation will complete a ROD, stating the action that will be implemented and discussing all factors leading to that decision.
The Final EIS is available online at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_projdetails.cfm?Project_ID=1014. If you encounter problems accessing the document online, please contact Public Affairs at mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov or call 916-978-5100. The Final EIS includes responses to all comments received during the comment period on the Draft EIS which ended on August 31, 2009.
The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is a 30-year Program (2000-2030) amongst 25 Federal and State agencies with responsibility in the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta. The Program is based on four major resource management objectives that guide its actions to achieving a Delta that has a healthy ecosystem and can supply Californians with a reliable water supply. Those objectives are levee system integrity, water quality, water supply reliability, and ecosystem restoration. Reclamation plays a key role as the Federal lead agency for implementation of water supply reliability actions in coordination with our State CALFED partner agencies.
Copies of the Final EIS may be requested from Mr. Louis Moore, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento CA 95825 or by calling 916-978-5106 (TDD 916-978-5608) or by e-mailing wmoore@usbr.gov.
# # #
Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at http://www.usbr.gov.
Lake Perris’s recreational future on shaky footing
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on August 24, 2009 at 6:39 am
From Riverside’s Press-Enterprise:
“On warm weekends, Lake Perris State Recreation Area is filled with people swimming, boating, fishing and otherwise enjoying themselves. Yet the fun in the sun at the Riverside County lake underlies a years-long dispute over allotting money to pay for recreation along the state’s water-supply backbone.
Lake Perris is the poster child for the multi-layered disagreement involving the state Department of Water Resources, the Legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal analyst and water project contractors such as the Metropolitan Water District, which supplies water to much of the Inland area.
How the dispute plays out could determine how — and whether — the cash-strapped state completes a costly project to strengthen the seismically weakened two-mile-long dam at Lake Perris. The outcome could mean that the days of swimming and boating at the lake, which draws some 1.5 million visitors a year, are numbered.
“We know it’s a very important resource to that part of the state,” said Mark Andersen, chief of water project management at the Department of Water Resources. At some point, though, the state either has to finish the dam-strengthening project or drain the lake, he said. …”
Read more from the Press-Enterprise by clicking here.
Bureau of Reclamation pushes pipeline project; Pipeline would add capacity, flexibility to state projects
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on July 24, 2009 at 8:22 amFrom the Capital Press:
“A proposed pipeline designed to facilitate water movement between the state and federal projects above the San Luis Reservoir cleared a hurdle last week when the Bureau of Reclamation released a draft environmental document for the plan.
It marks a major step in the long process of bringing the project to fruition. Dan Nelson, director of the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority, said the authority now anticipates starting construction next spring. “It’s been a long process to put the environmental documents together,” Nelson said. “Especially in these times when we need all the operational flexibility we can muster.”
The pipeline would connect the Delta-Mendota Canal with the California Aqueduct near San Luis Reservoir, thus allowing the state and federal water projects to use one another’s infrastructure above the San Luis Reservoir. It would be used largely during winter to help fill the reservoir early.”
Read more from the Capital Press by clicking here.
CSPA asks State Water Resources Control Board to reconsider state and federal water project consolidation
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on June 19, 2009 at 7:19 amFrom Bill Jennings of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance over at IndyBay.org:
Today, the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance (CSPA) and the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) jointly filed a Petition for Reconsideration (Petition) with the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) over their recent decision allowing the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) to consolidate their respective places of use.
For the first time CVP water can be delivered to SWP service areas and SWP water can be shipped to CVP places of use; placing addition stress on an already over-promised and broken water delivery system. The decision has grave implications for already degraded water quality and fisheries in the Central Valley.
The CSPA/C-WIN Petition alleges that the State Board decision was an error in law, not supported by substantial evidence and that subsequent new information exists that undermine the need for the consolidation. The Petition asks the State Board to reconsider their decision and reopen the hearing to reconsider the appropriateness of the consolidation of the SWP and CVP places of use.
Read more from IndyBay.org by clicking here.
DWR schedules San Diego drought response workshop for June 30
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on June 11, 2009 at 7:17 amFrom the Department of Water Resources:
SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources will hold a San Diego workshop on June 30, 2009, to provide updates on drought impacts and response activities. Scheduled from 9:30 a.m. until noon, the workshop will take place in the Gallegos Room of Caltrans Building One at 4050 Taylor Street in San Diego,
California Water Facts
Water year 2009 is California’s third consecutive dry year, with water years 2007 through 2009 representing the 12th driest three-year period in the state’s measured hydrologic record, based on the 8-station precipitation index. Water years 2007-09 also mark a period of unprecedented restrictions in State Water Project (SWP) and federal Central Valley Project (CVP) diversions from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to protect listed fish species, a regulatory circumstance that significantly exacerbates the impacts of hydrologic drought for customers of those water projects.
Presently, SWP deliveries to project contractors in Southern California are expected to be 40 percent of contractors’ requested amounts.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Delta smelt biological opinion released in December 2008 called for measures that would, on average, result in an estimated 20 to 30 percent reduction in SWP and CVP Delta diversions. Subsequently, statewide precipitation for January 2009 was only about one-third of average, making it the 8th driest January on record. These conditions, coupled with statewide reservoir storage at that time of only about 65 percent of average, led to the Governor’s proclamation of a statewide water shortage emergency in February 2009.
Statewide reservoir storage has increased, reaching 80 percent of average in May. Statewide runoff for water year 2009 is projected to be 70 percent of average, an improvement over the 53 and 58 percent of average experienced in water years 2007 and 2008, respectively. Storage in many of the state’s groundwater basin is decreasing, as evidenced by groundwater level data collected by the Department in response to the Governor’s emergency proclamation.
Within Southern California, drought impacts include reduction in storage reserves intended to provide a buffer against shortages. Local water agencies are responding to reduced water supplies through actions such as voluntary and mandatory water conservation programs.
Reductions in imported water supplies have caused significant cutbacks for growers participating in Metropolitan Water District’s interim agriculture water program, affecting avocado and citrus acreage particularly in San Diego and Riverside counties.
Previously, California’s last multi-year statewide drought occurred in 1987-92. By the third year of that drought, statewide reservoir storage was about 40 percent of average and did not return to average conditions until 1994. The State Water Project terminated deliveries to agricultural contractors and provided only 30 percent of requested urban deliveries in 1991, the single driest year of that drought.
For background on droughts and drought preparedness, see:http://www.water.ca.gov/drought/.
The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.
Late season rain and snow boosts allocations; Delta pump rules limit deliveries to the south
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 29, 2009 at 8:06 amFrom the Capital Press:
Late rain and mountain snow have prompted state and federal water officials to dramatically increase allocations to some California farmers. The prospect of receiving 40 percent of normal deliveries this summer provides a lifeline to some who are barely struggling to keep their trees alive or pastures productive.
But for others, it comes as they’ve already paid for an expensive water transfer that they now may not need, said Bill Krueger, a University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor and olive expert in Glenn County. “It just depends on what sort of other arrangements people have made,” Krueger said. “I farm a little bit … and I was counting on 15 percent, so I’ve gone ahead and bought some more expensive water. Now we’re going to try to reduce that.”
The season’s final snowpack assessment early this month led to final scheduled allocation announcements last week by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the state Department of Water Resources.
Find out more from the Capital Press by clicking here.
DWR raises SWP deliveries to 40 Percent
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 20, 2009 at 1:39 pmFrom the Department of Water Resources:
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced today that it will increase the 2009 State Water Project (SWP) delivery allocation from 30 percent to 40 percent.
Long-term SWP contractors will see an increase from 1,249,913 acre-feet to 1,666,550 acre-feet. This is the final allocation for the calendar year.
“Early May snow and rain improved the water supply situation enough to allow this modest expansion,” said DWR Director Lester A. Snow. “However, this small increase in SWP deliveries does not mean California has overcome the effects of three consecutive dry years. In fact, 2007 to 2009 will likely rank in the top 10 driest three-year periods in the last century. Governor Schwarzenegger’s statewide drought declaration remains in effect and all Californians must heed his call to reduce their water use.” Subsequently, DWR is encouraging its contractors to put increased supplies in storage and pursue conservation measures wherever possible.
SWP contractors requested their maximum allocation this year of 4,166,376 acre feet. Even with a boost to 40 percent, they will receive only slightly more than a third of that amount and must rely on dry water year contingency plans to meet their needs.
Since the State Water Project began allocating deliveries in 1968, there have been only three other final allocations lower than this year’s: 35% in 2008, 39% in 2001 and 30% in 1991.
Lake Oroville, the main reservoir in the SWP system, is still 25 percent below average for this time of year and stands at just 64 percent of capacity. In addition to low water supply conditions caused by drought, a federal court ruling to protect endangered fish species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta has reduced SWP pumping capacity.
The contractors deliver water to more than 25 million California residents and provide an irrigation source for more than 750,000 acres of farmland.
CSPA slams governor for water project consolidation
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 20, 2009 at 1:37 pmFrom Dan Bacher at IndyBay.org, this commentary:
Bill Jennings, chairman of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, on Tuesday castigated the State Water Resources Control Board for its draft ruling allowing the consolidation of the federal Central Valley Water Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP) place of use permits.
He said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s drought proclamation is based on “bogus claims.” Had the Board allowed the proclamation to be introduced as evidence, “we would have rebutted its bogus claims lie by lie,” said Jennings.
As Jennings was testifying in defense of the Delta and California’s imperiled fish population, Schwarzenegger was in Washington, D.C. playing the role of the “Green Governor.”
“Following California’s lead in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Obama administration today announced an agreement between the federal government, automakers, and the 14 states led by California in their fight to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles,” according to a statement from the Governor’s Office. “The agreement will lead to a new national standard that by 2016 will match California’s in reducing the CO2 emissions from new vehicles by 30 percent.”
However, when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger finally leaves office, he will leave as his legacy collapsing fisheries and environmental devastation unprecedented in California and U.S. history. While the mainstream media and corporate-funded “environmental” groups praise him for his grandstanding on “green energy,” he has presided over the destruction of Central Valley Chinook salmon, longfin smelt, green sturgeon, striped bass and other fish populations. “Environmentalism,” Schwarzenegger-style, is nothing other than a particularly toxic and destructive form of corporate greenwashing!
Read more of this commentary by clicking here.
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