The Bureau of Reclamation has released a progress report on the North of the Delta Offstream Storage (NODOS), otherwise known as Sites Reservoir, which presents the results to date of the feasibility study. The storage investigation, now in its third phase, is one of four authorized for study in 1996 during the CalFed era.
The proposed Sites Reservoir would be located in Northern California somewhat northeast of Clear Lake in Colusa and Glenn Counties, near the town of Maxwell. The reservoir would be off-stream, with water from the Sacramento River delivered to the reservoir either through the construction of a pipeline or by the use of existing irrigation canals.
The study is evaluating reservoir sizes from 1.27 MAF to 1.8 MAF, with a preliminary analysis determining benefits to be from $248.8 to $276.2 million. Those benefits include improving water supply and water supply reliability, providing water to benefit salmon and other fish species, producing hydropower, improving water quality and providing recreational opportunities. as well as providing supplemental Delta outflow during the summer and fall months,
The study is ongoing with several elements still to be completed, including additional engineering design, feasibility-level cost estimates, and an evaluation of how the potential implementation of new Delta conveyance would affect reservoir operations. The upcoming report will consider alternatives to the size of the reservoir and conveyance system, as well as a no-project alternative. Public comments are not being taken at this time; there will be an opportunity for public comment when the upcoming draft feasibility report is released.
You can find the report and other associated documents by clicking here.
