California fruit growers relieved by projected increase to water allocation

The California Department of Water Resources announced modest increases in forecasted State Water Project deliveries this year, in part because of early gains in the Sierra snowpack. The department now expects to deliver 35% of requested water supplies, up from 30% forecasted in January, according to a news release.

According to the department, record-breaking atmospheric rivers that flooded the state in January gave way to a mostly dry February that saw less than an inch of precipitation statewide.

The Fresno, Calif.-based California Fresh Fruit Association expressed relief in response to the initial water allocation of 35%.

“After two years of receiving an initial 0% allocation, the California Fresh Fruit Association and our members are grateful for the 35% that will go to the Central Valley Project contract holders,” Ian LeMay, president of the association, said in a news release.

Having a reliable water supply is critical for California’s fruit growers, packers and shippers to continue growing fresh fruit for the nation, LeMay added. The association said in the release that it will continue to advocate for needed changes to water regulations, along with additional water conveyance and infrastructure solutions at the federal and state levels.

Related news: Will There Be A Lettuce Shortage This Year As Parts of Drought-Plagued California Are Now Flooding?

“After experiencing significant rainfall in December and January, it has been made even more apparent California’s need for improvements to our storage and conveyance infrastructure, as well as changes to the regulations that manage our water systems. I cannot help but wonder how much higher this allocation could have been with the ability to capture more water during the wet periods,” LeMay said in the release.

The California State Water Project will continue to optimize water storage in Lake Oroville to support environmental needs in the summer and allow for carryover storage for next year if the spring becomes extremely dry, according to the release from the state water resources department. Additionally, the forecasted allocation could be lowered if extreme dry conditions warrant. 

“We’re hopeful that more storms this week are a sign that the wet weather will return, but there remains a chance that 2023 will be a below average water year in the northern Sierra," California Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth said in the release. “Careful planning and the use of advanced forecasting tools will enable the department to balance the needs of our communities, agriculture, and the environment should dry conditions continue this spring and into next year.”