State Increases Water Allocation For State Water Project

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced a significant boost in the forecasted State Water Project (SWP) deliveries this year due to continued winter storms in March and a massive Sierra snowpack.  DWR now expects to deliver 75 percent of requested water supplies, up from 35 percent announced in February.  The increase translates to an additional 1.7 million acre-feet of water for the 29 public water agencies that serve 27 million Californians.  Consistent storms in late February and March have built up the Sierra snowpack to more than double the amount that California typically sees this time of year. Rainfall has also allowed for robust flows through the system, providing adequate water supply for the environment and endangered fish species while allowing the SWP to pump the maximum amount of water allowed under state and federal permits into reservoir storage south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.  Further adjustments to the forecasted allocation are likely following the milestone April snow survey measurements.  April 1 is traditionally when California’s snowpack peaks and starts to melt.  DWR is planning to host its April snow survey on Monday, April 3, at Phillips Station, weather conditions permitting.