Bureau, DWR Announce New Allocations by ACWA Staff Feb 25, 2025 Water News SACRAMENTO —The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced increased allocations in the Central Valley Project and State Water Project, respectively. In a news release, the Bureau stated that its initial allocation to farmers on the west side of the Central Valley south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta is more than twice what the initial allocation was in 2024, a year with similar hydrology. In its news release, DWR credited recent storms for allowing another increase to the State Water Project (SWP) allocation forecast for 2025. The allocation has increased to 35% of requested water supplies, up from 20% in January based on increases in precipitation, snowpack and reservoir storage. The Bureau divides its allocations among four contractors — North-of-Delta, In-Delta, South-of-Delta and Friant Division, along with wildlife refuges. The Friant Water Authority reported the Bureau set the initial Class 1 water allocation for the Friant Division at 45% for the 2025 water year. “We appreciate the Bureau of Reclamation’s timely action in announcing this initial allocation, which provides clarity and allows our stakeholders to plan accordingly for the upcoming water year. The early allocation demonstrates the [Bureau’s] commitment to providing water managers with the information they need to make informed decisions,” stated a Friant Water Authority news release. Westlands announced an initial 35% water allocation for it and other South-of-Delta Central Valley Project agricultural contractors, marking “a notable improvement over last year’s dismal 15% initial allocation under similar hydrologic conditions,” stated a Westlands news release. “We are encouraged by the state and federal administration’s recent efforts concentrating on water maximizing water supply for Californians and spotlighting California’s complex longstanding water issues,” stated Westlands General Manager Allison Febbo in the news release. “This allocation offers our farmers the opportunity to make critical planting decisions that optimize feeding the nation.” In an emailed statement, the State Water Contractors also welcomed the allocation increase for the State Water Project supplies this year to 35%. “However, operational and infrastructure restrictions in the south Delta need to continue to be addressed,” stated State Water Contractors General Manager Jennifer Pierre. “While the water generated by adaptive management efforts is important and appreciated, it is too small to make a meaningful impact on the allocation. … It is important, again, to underscore that while hydrology is a major driver of California’s water supply, how we respond to it is up to us.”
