An update from the Bureau of Reclamation means a modest increase in water sent to south-of-Delta contractors, including Westlands Water District. On Tuesday, the bureau announced the yearly allocation would increase to 20% from 15%. This comes as a recent heat wave has experts worried about accelerated melting of the vital Sierra snowpack. Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands, said in a release that the government needs to better coordinate with experts to adapt allocations to real-world conditions and decrease the need for groundwater pumping.

Related articles:

• KRCR (Redding, Calif.): California boosts water allocations after storms, but shortages remain
• Daily Republic (Fairfield, Calif.): Reclamation increases Central Valley Project water allocations
• SJV Sun (Fresno, Calif.): Westlands: Water allocation increase is “inadequate”
• Bureau of Reclamation: News release: Reclamation increases Central Valley Project 2026 water supply allocations
• Westlands Water District: News release: Westlands Water District responds to updated Central Valley Project allocation