An accident of history has left California with two massive, overlapping water projects: the federally operated Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP) operated by the California Department of Water Resources. Maintaining and operating two projects that serve the same purpose is inefficient. Moreover, the projects are often beset by controversy and conflict when state and federal administrations change. … To cope with a changing climate and declining reliability of water supply, California and the federal government need to consider fully integrating the two projects. This would allow for more efficient water storage and distribution, improved water markets, increased groundwater banking and recharge, and better and more consistent environmental protection.

Other California dam and reservoir news:

• Record Searchlight (Redding, Calif.): Aerial views of Lake Shasta in lean, bountiful water years: Look back
• MendoFever (Mendocino, Calif.): Mendocino Water leaders clash over future of Scott Dam