The Bureau of Reclamation announced the initial Central Valley Project water allocation for 2022, which includes a 15% allocation (120,000 acre feet) for Friant Division Class 1 contractors. Friant Division Class 2 contractors did not receive an allocation, reflecting that hydrology for the 2022 water year is very dry.
Large storms in the Sierra Nevada range in October and December helped establish a robust snowpack in our upper watersheds, but relatively less precipitation since then has challenged our collective ability to recover from multiple consecutive dry years that have resulted in below-average water storage levels statewide.
FWA appreciates Reclamation’s work to issue this initial allocation early in the year and can understand the desire to err on the side of caution this early in the season. However, based on the current snowpack and reservoir conditions in and above Millerton Lake, FWA believes there is ample justification for an allocation higher than 15%.
Even if the remainder of the year is extremely dry, FWA estimates that approximately 240,000 acre-feet of additional unallocated water supply exists in the upper San Joaquin watershed. This estimate is in addition to the 254,000 acre-feet already allocated to the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. Not allocating water that is clearly available will only exacerbate an unnecessary rush to pump groundwater, causing additional overdraft.
We look forward to continuing to work with Reclamation as they further their analysis of the water supply data, and to the allocation increases that are warranted so our farmers and cities can adequately plan for the upcoming water year.
FWA also implores State and Federal agencies to allow maximum pumping operations in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta whenever possible this year to help relieve the significant pressure on groundwater supplies, even on top of the significant amounts of water conservation and land fallowing farmers have already implemented to manage through the drought.
The Friant Water Authority is based out of Lindsay, CA.
