May 2, 2024

Bureau of Reclamation increases California water allocations

The Bureau of Reclamation has increased Central Valley (California) Project 2024 water supply allocations for south-of-Delta contractors and those in the Friant Division.

While all north-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors are currently at 100% of their supplies, south-of-Delta agricultural contractors have seen increases from 35% to 40%. The Friant Division Class 1 allocation was also increased, from 95% to 100%; the Class 2 allocation increased from 0% to 5%.

All other Central Valley Project contract allocations have not changed from a March 22 water supply update. Initial Central Valley Project contract allocations were announced on Feb. 21.

“Hydrologic conditions have improved enough that we are able to provide this gradual increase,” Karl Stock, the bureau’s California-Great Basin Region director, said in a news release. “We realize that our contractors were hoping to see a greater amount of water, and we understand how critical irrigation is to California agriculture and the surrounding communities.

“However, continued uncertainty in long-term hydrology and regulatory constraints necessitate Reclamation’s approach with available water supplies,” he said in the release.

As the water year progresses, changes in hydrology, actions that impact operations and opportunities to deliver additional water will influence future allocations. Water supply updates are on Bureau of Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Region’s website.