California over the last few years has been having major issues with water allocation, especially over the western San Joaquin Valley. Although, this year, with the weather patterns already experienced, California may have a better than “average” water year.
The Central Valley Project water users have been told that the water forecast is better than initially estimated. Snowpack and runoff data is tilting towards the “improved” status considering the prior years of drought conditions. With the weather maintaining its current track, west side growers may receive up to 30 percent allocation from their original quotes.
Sadly though, forecasts are still showing a fourth year of drought. This would mean that those north and south of the Delta will still receive the State Water Project’s previous estimate of five percent allocation.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA has stated that she appreciates the administration’s commitment and hopes more to come for the improvement of water supplies to help out the west side of the Valley. The Bureau of Reclamation is hoping to provide eight to ten percent more water which adds up to about 150,000 to 200,000 acre feet of water.
South of the Delta, farms are hoping to get relief from the water shortage from the Department of Agriculture. Some rumors of additional pumping capacity could be authorized by the Banks Pumping Plant by the U.S. Corps of Engineers provided at the time there are not restrictions by water rights, permit conditions, or environmental requirements.
For more information, go to http://www.turlockjournal.com/news/article/3133/
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