Bipartisan Bill Could Increase Central Valley Storage

Five Central Valley members of Congress introduced a bipartisan bill March 2 to increase water storage in the valley while maintaining flood protection.

The bill, HR 869, would increase the capacity of Lake McClure by modifying the existing spill at New Exchequer Dam. It would allow temporary storage of water in wet years, instead of requiring the immediate release of excess water even when it is not needed downstream.

Co-sponsors of the bill include Democratic Reps. Jim Costa (CA-20) and Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) and Republican Reps. Jeff Denham (CA-19), Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) and Devin Nunes (CA-21).

HR 869 would make about 70,000 acre-feet of additional water available, according to the bill’s authors. The project would also generate an additional 10,000 megawatt hours per year of clean, renewable energy for the Central Valley.

“This bill will provide necessary water storage at no cost to the federal taxpayer, while increasing water available to farms and homes,” Denham said in a news release. “The bill will increase power revenue, increase water storage and reduce flooding downstream.”

New Exchequer Dam is owned and operated by Merced Irrigation District. In a news release, MID Director Dave Long said the project would benefit the district’s operations.

“The water project will greatly enhance operations at Lake McClure by providing 70,000 acre-feet of storage water available for multiple beneficial uses downstream,” he said. “The spillway enhancement will create badly needed local jobs, green power for 1,700 houses and additional flood control for the Central Valley without cost to the public or government.”