CALIFORNIA — Following a strong winter season packed with rain and snow, California water officials have announced increased water allocations for cities and farms across the state.
The State Water Project, which supplies water to millions of Californians and hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, has raised its planned deliveries to 50% of the amount requested by local agencies. This is an improvement from earlier projections in March, when the allocation was set at 40%.
Federal water deliveries are also increasing. The Central Valley Project, which serves large portions of the state’s agricultural heartland, has boosted allocations to 50% for many areas south of the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta. Water users in and north of the Delta are expected to receive their full requested amounts.
Much of this change is thanks to a winter that brought healthy precipitation and snowpack levels. On April 4, the statewide snowpack reached 100% of the seasonal average, with runoff from melting snow helping refill major reservoirs.
Lake Oroville, the largest reservoir in the State Water Project, is now at 95% of capacity—about 120% of what is typical for this time of year. Shasta Lake, California’s largest overall reservoir, has reached 96% capacity and stands well above its average level for early May.
These water supply improvements are a welcome shift after years of drought and water restrictions. They’re expected to bring relief to farmers and improve the reliability of urban water systems. Still, state officials are urging continued conservation and smart water use to stay prepared for future dry spells.
