A federal judge on Monday opted to impose no restrictions on operations for a massive California water conveyance system, determining environmental groups failed to meet their burden. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston wrote that the Center for Biological Diversity and other plaintiffs must make a heightened showing before she will issue a preliminary injunction over the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s operation of Shasta Dam and Reservoir this summer and fall. … The groups argued the bureau’s operation of the Central Valley Project, including Shasta Dam, and California’s State Water Project failed to comply with a 2024 biological opinion issued under the Endangered Species Act. They asked the Joe Biden appointeeto reduce water releases from Shasta and require the government to adopt a new operating plan.

Other water litigation news:

• SJV Water (Bakersfield, Calif.): Kern River trial date moved back eight months​