Topic: Central Valley Project

Overview

Central Valley Project

Constructed long ago by federal effort to help create farmland, the Central Valley Project is one of the biggest water and transport systems in the entire world.

In years of normal precipitation, it stores and distributes about 20 percent of the state’s developed water through its massive system of reservoirs and canals.Water is transported 450 miles from Lake Shasta in Northern California to Bakersfield in the southern San Joaquin Valley. 

Along the way, the CVP encompasses 18 dams and reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of 11 million acre-feet, 11 power plants and three fish hatcheries. As part of this, the Delta Mendota Canal and Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River deliver water to farms in the Central Valley.

Aquafornia news AgNet West

How Westside water allocations are leaving farmers dry

California’s Westside farmers are once again caught in a cycle of uncertainty as water allocations remain unpredictable—despite full reservoirs and years of strong snowfall. According to AgNet West’s Nick Papagni, this system continues to punish growers trying to plan ahead for planting season. Farmer Mike Omari explains that the decision-making window is razor-thin. “We usually get our water allocation announcement the last week of February, but our planting season starts March 1st,” he says. “You’re gambling everything on a number that might change later—but by then, your decisions are already locked in.” This year’s initial allocation was only 35%, even with a full Lake Orville and favorable snowpack. Although the number was later bumped to 55%, the delay in information makes strategic crop planning almost impossible. 

Aquafornia news GV Wire (Fresno, Calif.)

Wednesday Top of the Scroll: Westlands leader calls slight water boost ‘disappointing’

Westlands Water District leader Allison Febbo characterized Tuesday’s announced 5% federal water allocation increase as “disappointing” in light of California’s full reservoirs while also calling for more investment in new water infrastructure. “While an increase is appropriate, given current reservoir levels and snowpack, a 5% increase is disappointing and highlights a critical reality: Even in average hydrological years, California’s outdated water system falls short of delivering the water our communities require,” said Febbo. … The Bureau of Reclamation’s increase means that the Central Valley Project’s South-of-Delta ag contractors such as Westlands will receive 55% allotments. All north-of-Delta CVP contractors are receiving 100% allotments. Municipal and industrial water service and repayment contractors will receive a 5% boost to 80% of their historical use, or public health and safety needs, whichever is greater, the Bureau said.

Other Central Valley Project news:

Aquafornia news Public Policy Institute of California

Blog: Uniting the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project would benefit all water users

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:

Aquafornia news The Sacramento Bee

Wednesday Top of the Scroll: Red alert sounding on California drought, as farmers get less water

A government agency that controls much of California’s water supply released its initial allocation for 2021, and the numbers reinforced fears that the state is falling into another drought. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said Tuesday that most of the water agencies that rely on the Central Valley Project will get just 5% of their contract supply, a dismally low number. Although the figure could grow if California gets more rain and snow, the allocation comes amid fresh weather forecasts suggesting the dry winter is continuing. The National Weather Service says the Sacramento Valley will be warm and windy the next few days, with no rain in the forecast.

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