Statement by Federico Barajas on the Initial 2026 Central Valley Project Allocation and Ongoing Water Supply Reliability

LOS BANOS, CA – Today, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (“Reclamation”) announced its initial water supply allocation for the 2026 Central Valley Project (“CVP”), establishing an allocation of 15% for south-of-Delta agricultural water service and repayment contractors and 65% for south-of-Delta municipal and industrial water contractors.

In response, Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (“Authority”), issued the following statement:

“This low initial allocation of 15% for south-of-Delta agricultural water users is disappointing and concerning for the families and communities in the San Joaquin Valley that depend on CVP water supplies to grow food for the nation and support their livelihoods.

“California’s hydrology remains highly volatile. A strong start to this water year was undercut by a substantial dry spell from early January into mid-February, and it remains uncertain whether recent storms will fully restore snowpack conditions. This year-to-year variability in California’s hydrology, reflected over the last decade by four water allocations under 20 percent, including two years with no water allocation and only two years at 100 percent, continues to reinforce the need to improve the reliability of our water system. We must increase accountability — actions that reduce water supply for California’s people must be grounded in sound science and regularly evaluated to ensure they are delivering measurable benefits and we must use modern tools to improve the allocation process.

“We appreciate recent operational changes enacted by Reclamation that have led to increased operational flexibility under Executive Order 14181, as well as Reclamation’s continued engagement and coordination with the Water Authority.

“As the water year progresses and the status of California’s rainfall and snowpack available this year becomes clearer, we will continue working with Reclamation and policymakers to pursue operational improvements and long-term solutions that restore reliability to the system and remain hopeful that allocations will improve as the water year progresses.”

Today’s announcement marks the initial allocation to Authority agricultural water service and repayment contractors, as well as municipal and industrial member agencies. Water supply updates will be posted on Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Region website.