The Bureau of Reclamation today issued updated allocations for South-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors for the 2018 contract year.

Based on continued refinement of hydrologic analyses and other operational factors, the allocation for South-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors has increased from 40 percent to 45 percent. The allocation for municipal and industrial contractors South-of-Delta remains at the greater of 75 percent of their historic use or public health and safety needs.

“This allocation update takes into account the information from the California Department of Water Resources May forecasts as well as continued refinement of our estimates of the capabilities of our system given current conditions,” said Mid-Pacific Regional Director David Murillo. “In addition, we have more certainty today regarding our ability to manage temperature in the Sacramento River and meet other regulatory requirements throughout the system, though adjustments may still need to be made. We urge our contractors to continue to exercise conservative use of the resource.”

To promote effective use of supplies in San Luis Reservoir this year and efficiency for next year’s operations, Reclamation is still planning to limit the overall amount of water in San Luis Reservoir that is rescheduled at the end of the contract year into the 2019 contract year. Reclamation intends to work with South-of-Delta contractors and others this year on those plans, and to continue to refine end-of-year rescheduling concepts and implementation.

The Friant Division’s uncontrolled season, which allowed Reclamation to make Class 2 deliveries, was terminated May 10. On May 11, Reclamation confirmed with the Friant Division contractors that the remaining residual Class 1 water supply available was 85 percent. Conditions will continue to be monitored and allocations will be adjusted and updated as appropriate.

As the water year progresses, changes in hydrology and opportunities to deliver additional water will influence future allocations. Water supply updates are posted here.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation