From Bureau of Reclamation:
“In preparation for the Bureau of Reclamation’s initial water year 2014 water allocation announcement in late-February, Reclamation is providing information on water supply conditions for the federal Central Valley Project. Reclamation’s water year runs from October 1 to September 30; the contract year runs from March 1 to February 28.
The CVP’s carryover storage from WY 2013 into WY 2014 was 5.1 million acre-feet, which is 43 percent of capacity and 75 percent of the 15-year average for October 1 in six key CVP reservoirs (Shasta, New Melones, Trinity, Folsom, Millerton and the federal portion of San Luis). The following table shows conditions in those reservoirs as of January 22 for 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, as well as the 15-year average.
CVP Reservoir Storage Comparisons for 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 15-Year Average
As of January 22 for Each Year – Storages Listed in Millions of Acre-feet (MAF)CVP Reservoir
Capacities2014
% of
15-year
Average2013
% of
15-year
Average2012
% of
15-year
Average2011
% of
15-year
Average15-Year Average
Shasta 4.552 1.659
56
3.424
112
3.097
100
3.462
112
2.942
New Melones 2.420 1.047
67
1.624
100
1.975
120
1.582
95
1.560
Trinity 2.448 1.168
71
1.913
113
1.945
116
1.800
107
1.637
Folsom 0.977 .166
39
.557
124
.413
90
.460
101
.426
Millerton 0.520 .206
70
.303
98
.316
101
.397
124
.294
Fed. San Luis 0.966 .335
46
.709
94
.945
123
.894
117
.728
Total 11.883 4.581
58
8.53
107
8.691
108
8.595
109
7.587
Water conditions in the Sacramento Valley have fluctuated from Below Normal in WY 2010, to Wet in WY 2011, Below Normal in WY 2012, and Dry in WY 2013. The California Department of Water Resources’ first snow survey for 2014, held on January 3, showed the statewide mountain snowpack to be about 20 percent of average for the date, which is only 7 percent of the average April 1 measurement.
As of January 23, DWR reported that the Northern Sierra 8-Station Precipitation Index Water Year total was 3.5 inches, which is about 14 percent of the seasonal average to date and 7 percent of an average water year (which is 50.0 inches). Additionally, the San Joaquin 5-Station Precipitation Index Water Year total was 3.0 inches, which is 16 percent of the seasonal average to date and 7 percent of an average water year (which is 40.8 inches).
Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo stated, “Since 2014 is developing into a critically dry water year, Reclamation must be extremely cautious as we begin determining our initial allocation numbers for CVP contractors. Reclamation’s and DWR’s Drought Management Teams are working cooperatively in managing CVP and State Water Project operations and are coordinating actions and activities to address impacts from water shortages throughout California.”
The Mid-Pacific Region began to proactively address drought conditions in 2014 by holding a series of meetings in summer 2013 with CVP water contractors, power customers, tribes, non-governmental organizations, environmental groups, and state and federal agencies to brainstorm additional water management strategies. Stakeholders provided ideas and suggestions, and the Region examined operational flexibilities, actions and water management strategies. The resultant “Draft WY 2014
Water Plan” contains a listing of those actions and strategies and may be viewed at www.usbr.gov/mp/Water_Supply_Meetings/index.html.The first official 2014 CVP water allocation announcement is planned for late-February as required by contract terms. Water supply updates will then be made monthly or more often as appropriate and will be posted on Reclamation’s website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water.
Reclamation balances the allocation of CVP water for agricultural, environmental and municipal and industrial purposes based on factors that include hydrology, conditions as reported by DWR, storage in CVP reservoirs, regulations, court decisions, biological opinions, environmental considerations, operational limitations and input from other agencies and organizations.
For further information, please visit the CVP water supply website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water or contact the Public Affairs Office at 916-978-5100 (TTY 800-877-8339) or mppublicaffairs@usbr.gov.
