New Melones Dam
The Central Valley Project (CVP) began the 2014 water year that started on Oct. 1 with 5.1 million acre-feet of water stored in its major reservoirs, the lowest amount since 2009.
Surface storage in California has taken a big hit after consecutive dry years. Two years ago there was 9.3 million acre-feet in the CVP’s six big reservoirs — Folsom, Millerton New Melones, Shasta, Trinity and the federal-state San Luis. A year ago there was 6.9 million acre-feet.
The 15-year average carry-over for these reservoirs on Oct. 1 is 7 MAF.
Water managers across the state are urging users to conserve where possible and are preparing for the possibility of another dry year, although officials have stopped short of declaring a drought. The Bureau of Reclamation, which manages the CVP, said it has initiated several meetings with water contractors, power customers, state and federal agencies and other stakeholders to brainstorm potential actions, if they are needed.
“We began to examine operational flexibilities with our partner agencies and look at new water management strategies with stakeholders throughout California,” Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo said in a Nov. 4 news statement. “I was encouraged by the collaboration and cooperation displayed by our customers and stakeholders during the meetings and impressed with their creative and wide-ranging ideas. I am pleased to announce that the resultant Draft WY 2014 Water Plan is now available on our region’s website.”
Reclamation said it announce the CVP’s preliminary water supply conditions for the 2014 water year in late January, and the initial allocations prior to March 1 when the contract year begins. The allocations will be adjusted if needed to reflect precipitation and snowfall conditions as the year goes on.
The federally run Central Valley Project supplies water that irrigates 3 million acres of agricultural land, as well as municipal and industrial water used by millions of Californians. CVP also is a critical water source for fish and wildlife habitat.
For current water allocations, reservoir levels and other management information, visit the Bureau of Reclamation’s website here.