As California braces for a significant winter storm, state water officials announced an increase in water supplies for agencies serving 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland.
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) attributed this boost to early gains in the Sierra Nevada snowpack, resulting in an additional 210,000 acre-feet of water. Consequently, the DWR now expects to deliver 35% of requested water supplies, up from the 30% forecasted in January.
DWR Director Karla Nemeth expressed cautious optimism, noting that while more storms are expected, there’s still a possibility that 2023 could be a below-average water year in the northern Sierra.
She emphasized that careful planning and advanced forecasting tools are crucial to balancing the needs of communities, agriculture, and the environment if dry conditions persist into spring and next year.
The Department of Water Resources announces an increase in water deliveries due to early gains in the Sierra Nevada snowpack, raising the allocation to 35% of requested supplies.The State Water Project, which collects water from Northern California rivers, supplies 29 public water agencies. Approximately 70% of this water is used in urban areas and industries in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, with the remaining 30% supporting agriculture in the Central Valley.
This modest increase in water allocation follows more than three years of drought and low reservoir levels in California.
Last year, allocations were cut to just 5% due to declining reservoir levels and reduced snowpack. DWR officials cautioned that the new allocation could be reduced if extreme dry conditions return.
Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Reclamation announced that Central Valley Project water users, primarily irrigation districts, will receive 35% of their allocation this year, up from zero last year.
Reclamation Regional Director Ernest Conant highlighted the uncertainties of California’s climate, acknowledging the potential return of dry conditions.