CA: Reclamation Announces Initial CVP Water Supply Information 26-February-2010

This informational release serves as the official notice required under the terms of various CVP water contracts. The forecast reflects hydrologic conditions as they existed as of February 1, 2010, and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) February Water Year 2010 Runoff Forecast, and supplemented with additional information collected through the month.

Based on a conservative runoff forecast, Reclamation expects to deliver a minimum of 4.7 million acre-feet (MAF) of water to CVP contractors, representing 79 percent of average deliveries over the last 5 years. Should precipitation continue so that a median forecast is realized, Reclamation expects to deliver 5.7 MAF, representing 96 percent of deliveries over the last 5 years.

Settlement contractors with claims to senior water rights along the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers will be allocated 100 percent of their contract quantities this year (delivery of approximately 2.4 MAF). Wildlife refuges north and south of the Delta will be allocated 100 percent of their “Level 2” water (about 400,000 acre-feet delivered), most of which will likely be delivered after the irrigation season. Municipal and industrial water contractors will receive an allocation of 55 percent (about 275,000 acre-feet). However, Reclamation may deliver CVP water to all municipal and industrial contractors at not less than a public health and safety level if CVP water is available, not to exceed 75 percent of contract total. Under the conservative forecast, and taking into consideration below average carryover storage and CVP operational constraints imposed by water quality and endangered species requirements, agricultural water service contractors north and south of the Delta will be allocated 5 percent (about 120,000 acre-feet) of their contract quantities.

As shown in the following table summarizing the forecasted allocation estimates by water user category, water allocation significantly improves under the median forecast. Under this scenario, allocations to the agricultural water service contractors north and south of the Delta would improve to 100 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Also, deliveries to
municipal and industrial water supply contractors would increase to 100 percent and 75 percent, respectively.

The Friant Division deliveries for 2010 are projected to be 800,000 acre-feet or 72 percent of 1,116,800 acre-feet, which is the 5-year average allocation. Under the conservative runoff forecast, the water supply for the Friant Division contractors will be 100 percent of Class 1 water and 0 percent of Class 2 water. As of February 24, 2010, precipitation in the San Joaquin River Basin as measured at Huntington Lake was 26.55 inches for the water year compared to 25.86 inches this time last year; this equates to 93 percent of the 30-year average. In both the conservative and median forecasts, the water supply available for the Eastside Division Contractors (Stanislaus River) is projected to be 100 percent (155,000 acre-feet).

Updated information will be provided throughout the precipitation season. Changes to hydrology, opportunities to exercise operational flexibility of the CVP, and opportunities to utilize the Joint Point of Diversion at the State Water Project are all factors and conditions that will have an influence on water supply as the year progresses. Reclamation and Federal, State, and other agencies remain committed to working closely to resolve both short-term and long-term water reliability and operational flexibility issues. Water supply updates will be made monthly or more often as appropriate and posted on the Central Valley Operations website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo. For additional information on the February Water Supply Forecast, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water.

Contact:
Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

	State News

	Friday, February 26, 2010 CA: Reclamation Announces Initial CVP Water Supply Information Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Mid-Pacific Region

	This informational release serves as the official notice required under the terms of various CVP water contracts. The forecast reflects hydrologic conditions as they existed as of February 1, 2010, and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) February Water Year 2010 Runoff Forecast, and supplemented with additional information collected through the month. Based on a conservative runoff forecast, Reclamation expects to deliver a minimum of 4.7 million acre-feet (MAF) of water to CVP contractors, representing 79 percent of average deliveries over the last 5 years. Should precipitation continue so that a median forecast is realized, Reclamation expects to deliver 5.7 MAF, representing 96 percent of deliveries over the last 5 years. Settlement contractors with claims to senior water rights along the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers will be allocated 100 percent of their contract quantities this year (delivery of approximately 2.4 MAF). Wildlife refuges north and south of the Delta will be allocated 100 percent of their “Level 2” water (about 400,000 acre-feet delivered), most of which will likely be delivered after the irrigation season. Municipal and industrial water contractors will receive an allocation of 55 percent (about 275,000 acre-feet). However, Reclamation may deliver CVP water to all municipal and industrial contractors at not less than a public health and safety level if CVP water is available, not to exceed 75 percent of contract total. Under the conservative forecast, and taking into consideration below average carryover storage and CVP operational constraints imposed by water quality and endangered species requirements, agricultural water service contractors north and south of the Delta will be allocated 5 percent (about 120,000 acre-feet) of their contract quantities. As shown in the following table summarizing the forecasted allocation estimates by water user category, water allocation significantly improves under the median forecast. Under this scenario, allocations to the agricultural water service contractors north and south of the Delta would improve to 100 percent and 30 percent, respectively. Also, deliveries to municipal and industrial water supply contractors would increase to 100 percent and 75 percent, respectively. The Friant Division deliveries for 2010 are projected to be 800,000 acre-feet or 72 percent of 1,116,800 acre-feet, which is the 5-year average allocation. Under the conservative runoff forecast, the water supply for the Friant Division contractors will be 100 percent of Class 1 water and 0 percent of Class 2 water. As of February 24, 2010, precipitation in the San Joaquin River Basin as measured at Huntington Lake was 26.55 inches for the water year compared to 25.86 inches this time last year; this equates to 93 percent of the 30-year average. In both the conservative and median forecasts, the water supply available for the Eastside Division Contractors (Stanislaus River) is projected to be 100 percent (155,000 acre-feet). Updated information will be provided throughout the precipitation season. Changes to hydrology, opportunities to exercise operational flexibility of the CVP, and opportunities to utilize the Joint Point of Diversion at the State Water Project are all factors and conditions that will have an influence on water supply as the year progresses. Reclamation and Federal, State, and other agencies remain committed to working closely to resolve both short-term and long-term water reliability and operational flexibility issues. Water supply updates will be made monthly or more often as appropriate and posted on the Central Valley Operations website at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo. For additional information on the February Water Supply Forecast, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/mp/pa/water. Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100, plucero@usbr.gov

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