CALIFORNIA, OCTOBER 10, 2016 -- The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project began water year 2017 on Oct. 1 with 4.9 million acre-feet of water in its six key reservoirs. The amount is 2 million acre-feet more than was in storage at the beginning of water year 2016, federal officials announced.
The amount of storage in the key reservoirs – Shasta, Trinity, Folsom, New Melones and Millerton reservoirs and the federal share of the joint federal/state San Luis Reservoir – is 82% of the 15-year average of annual carryover of 6.0 million acre-feet.
"Although overall CVP water supply conditions improved in WY 2016 compared to WY 2015 and WY 2014, we continue to face difficult circumstances as we deal with the ongoing effects of the drought," said Bureau Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo. "We got through WY 2016 by working closely with our water users and their willingness to work together to develop creative solutions to a multitude of challenges. We hope that water supply conditions improve as we move into WY 2017 but know we could be facing a sixth consecutive year of drought. Regardless of conditions, we will continue to collaborate with our water users, stakeholders and agency partners to best manage our critical water resources."
The amount of water in storage at the end of the water year reflects the amount carried over into the new water year. By comparison, WY 2015 began with 2.9 million acre-feet, 2014 began with 3.1 million acre-feet, 2013 with 5.1 million acre-feet, 2012 with 6.9 million acre-feet and 2011 with 9.3 million acre-feet.
In spring 2017, the Bureau anticipates making a preliminary assessment of WY 2017 CVP water supply conditions.
For additional storage information visit www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo.
Source: ACWA
About ACWA
The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) is the largest statewide coalition of public water agencies in the country. Its 430 public agency members collectively are responsible for 90% of the water delivered to cities, farms and businesses in California.
