Today, the United States Bureau of Reclamation (“Reclamation”) announced the initial 2025 Central Valley Project water supply allocation. In response, Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (“Authority”), released the following statement:
“This year’s 35% initial allocation for agricultural service and repayment contractor is a significant improvement over last year’s initial allocation of 15%,” said Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority. “However, given the high storage conditions and current high Delta outflow from recent storms, I know that many of the Water Authority’s members were hoping for a higher initial allocation.
“Unfortunately, this year’s rainfall has disproportionately fallen in the northern portion of the Central Valley Project, which has benefitted water storage, but has negatively impacted forecasted operations due to reduced San Joaquin River flows, thereby impacting Reclamation’s ability to make a higher initial allocation. We appreciate Reclamation’s work and expertise coordinating with the Water Authority and its members to identify and implement improvements in the allocation process over the last year, which has in part led to this higher initial allocation.
“The last decade – in which Authority members with agricultural water contracts received water allocations below 20% six times, including four years with no allocation, and 75% or above three times – continues to reinforce that California’s water system is no longer able to provide the reliability necessary to support the demands placed on it. Rainfall and snowpack patterns are changing and our water management strategies must be responsive to this new reality.
“We are hopeful that conditions in the San Joaquin River will improve, California will continue to receive additional rainfall and snow during the coming months, and that the initial allocation will increase as the year progresses.”
Today’s announcement marks the initial allocation to Authority irrigation water service and repayment and municipal and industrial member agencies. Water supply updates will be posted on Reclamation California-Great Basin Region’s website.