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Department of Water Resources announces increase to anticipated State Water Project allocation for 2024
The forecasted allocation is now 15% of requested supplies, up from the 10% initial allocation announced in December. This translates to about 200,000 acre-feet of additional water for the 29 public water agencies that serve 27 million Californians.
This assessment does not include the results of any of the storms that hit California earlier this month. The State Water Project will review conditions and may revise the forecasted allocation in mid-March.
The February allocation forecast update takes into account snow survey measurements and data up until Feb. 1 and spring runoff forecasts outlined in the first Bulletin 120 of the season.
While California has seen a series of winter storms the past two months, those storms have been warmer and brought historic rainfall to Southern California. Northern California, the headwaters of the State Water Project, has seen less of a benefit from these storms and precipitation for that region was below average.
The State Water Project has been able to take advantage of these storms, increasing storage at both Lake Oroville and San Luis Reservoir. Lake Oroville has increased 460,000 acre-feet and San Luis Reservoir has increased 85,000 acre-feet since January 1.
“We will continue to assess our State Water Project allocation forecast as more storms materialize in February and March,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “This season is an important reminder of our extreme conditions and shift to bigger, flashier storms and the need to continue increasing the state’s ability to capture and store stormwater when it comes as rain instead of snow.”
As of Wednesday, the statewide snowpack is 86% of average for this date, and 69% of its April 1 average, which is considered the peak snowpack for the season.
“January’s storms allowed the state to increase, though slightly, its storage and delivery of much-needed water supplies from the SWP. The storms California has experienced so far have brought historic rainfall to Southern California, while Northern California — where the SWP and its infrastructure begins — has seen less precipitation,” said Jennifer Pierre, general manager of the State Water Contractors.
“With several weeks left in this year’s wet season, we hope more rain and snow can drive this allocation even higher. SWP reservoirs remain above average for this time of year, and following last year’s historic storms, both Lake Oroville and San Luis Reservoir’s storage have increased since the first of the year. And had the Delta Conveyance Project been in place, we could have moved an additional 314,000 acre-feet of water, which would have resulted in a higher allocation,” Pierre said.
Pierre added, “California’s climate extremes — characterized by larger, more unpredictable storms followed by prolonged dry periods — show how critical it is for our water managers to have the ability to make real-time water management decisions based on forecasting and current hydrology, capture as much water as possible when it’s available, and protect water supplies and deliveries for the 27 million Californians who rely on the SWP.”
State Water Project reservoirs remain above average for this time of year, as the state continues to benefit from last winter’s historic snowpack and efforts to capture and store as much water as possible. Lake Oroville, the State Water Project’s largest reservoir, is at 134 percent of average for this date.
With recent storms bringing more rain than snow, DWR continues to work with local water agencies to capture and store as much stormwater as possible. DWR is also supporting efforts statewide to capture stormwater and use it to recharge critical groundwater basins.
Each year, DWR provides the initial State Water Project allocation by Dec. 1 based on available water storage, projected water supply, and water demands.
Allocations are updated monthly as snowpack, rainfall, and runoff information is assessed, with a final allocation typically determined in May or June.