Storms Allow SWP to Increase Expected 2023 Deliveries to 30%

  • by Department of Water Resources
  • Jan 26, 2023
  • Water News

SACRAMENTO –The Department of Water Resources (DWR) today announced that recent storms will allow the State Water Project (SWP) to boost deliveries to 29 public water agencies serving 27 million Californians. Based on the amount of water captured and stored in recent weeks, DWR now expects to deliver 30 percent of requested water supplies – or 1.27 million acre-feet — in 2023, up from the initial 5 percent announced on December 1.

The allocation increase is the direct result of extreme weather in late December and nine atmospheric rivers in early January that helped fill reservoirs and dramatically increase the Sierra Nevada snowpack. The SWP’s two largest reservoirs (Oroville and San Luis) have gained a combined 1.62 million acre-feet of water in storage — roughly enough to provide water to 5.6 million households for a year. While Water Year 2023 began with below average precipitation, conditions shifted to extreme above average conditions.

“We are pleased that we can increase the allocation now and provide more water to local water agencies,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “These storms made clear the importance of our efforts to modernize our existing water infrastructure for an era of intensified drought and flood. Given these dramatic swings, these storm flows are badly needed to refill groundwater basins and support recycled water plants.”

The updated SWP delivery forecast takes into account current reservoir storage and is based on a conservative runoff forecast.  It does not take into account the current Sierra Nevada snowpack. DWR will conduct snow surveys on February 1, March 1, April 1, and May 1 and may further update the allocation as the water supply outlook becomes clearer with the new data.

In addition to on the ground surveys, DWR will gather data from its Airborne Snow Observatory (ASO) surveys. For the second year in a row, DWR is broadening the deployment of these more sophisticated technologies, such as ASO surveys, that can collect snow measurements farther upslope of the Sierra Nevada. The data from these flights, which use LiDAR and spectrometer technology to measure snowpack across broad swaths of key watersheds, will be used by DWR to get a more accurate account of California’s snowpack and to update water supply runoff forecasts. Since the storms California experienced this month saw variable snow elevations, the data from ASO flights will help DWR verify snow course and snow sensor data and understand how snow has been distributed across the Sierra Nevada.

DWR cautioned that while recent storms have been impressive, two months remain in the wet season and California could see a return to warm and dry conditions prior to April 1. Californians should continue to use water wisely to help the state adapt to a hotter, drier future and the possible return of drought.

The SWP pumps currently are operating at maximum capacity of 9,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and will continue to be adjusted as needed to meet State and federal requirements.  However, had the proposed Delta Conveyance Project been in place, the SWP could have stored an additional 202,000 acre-feet of water – enough to supply more than 710,000 households for a year – between January 1 and January 23 while staying within compliance of rules to protect endangered species.

California traditionally receives half its rain and snow by the end of January. Water managers will reassess conditions monthly throughout the winter and spring. Starting in February, the assessments will incorporate snowpack data and runoff forecasts.

Water managers will be monitoring how the wet season develops and whether further actions may be necessary later in the winter. Additional actions that have been taken previously, such as submission of a Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) or installation of the West False River Emergency Drought Salinity Barrier in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, are unlikely this year based on current conditions.

Each year, DWR provides the initial SWP allocation by December 1 based on available water storage, projected water supply, and water demands. Allocations are updated monthly as snowpack and runoff information is assessed, with a final allocation typically determined in May or June.

The lowest initial SWP allocation was zero percent on December 1, 2021, with limited water designated only for any unmet human health and safety needs. Last year’s final allocation was 5 percent plus unmet human health and safety needs. Four of the 29 State Water Contractors ultimately requested and received additional human health and safety water supply.

 

Suggested Resources

15 RESOURCES prev next
Federal Regulatory Issues Chart

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

AB 249 (Holden): Testing for Lead in Drinking Water at Schools

To: The Honorable Alex Lee, Chair, Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Subject: AB 249 (Holden): Testing for Lead […]

ACWA and CMUA Comment Letter on Proposed Changes to Drinking Water Needs Assessment

To: State Water Resources Control Board Subject:ACWA and CMUA Comments regarding the Draft White Paper Discussion On: Proposed Changes for the […]

2022 Year in Review

Big wins and tough challenges filled a productive 2022 for the ACWA community, but opportunities to finally gather in person […]

Demand Side Grid Support Program and Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program

Agency: California Energy Commission Subject: Lead Commissioner Workshop on the Demand Side Grid Support Program and Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program Letter […]

Public Health Goals for Hexavalent Chromium

Agency: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Subject: Public Health Goal for Hexavalent Chromium: ACWA’s Concerns regarding July 6, 2022 […]

ACWA-Sponsored SB 23 (Caballero) Fact Sheet

California is in a race against climate change. As the wets get wetter and dries get drier, our water systems […]

ON DEMAND: 2022 Fall Conference

ACWA’s 2022 Fall Conference ON DEMAND! Thank you to all those who participated in ACWA’s 2022 Fall Conference. This unique […]

2023 Winter Drought Toolkit

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Regulatory Roundup

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

CAFWA Letter: 2023-24 Wildfire and Forest Resilience State Budget Allocations

To: Governor Gavin Newsom Subject: 2023-24 Wildfire and Forest Resilience State Budget Allocations Letter excerpt: On behalf of the California Forest […]

Outreach Handbook

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program Round 2 Draft Guidelines

Agency: California Department of Conservation Subject: Comment Letter – Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program Round 2 Draft Guidelines Letter excerpt: The […]

ACWA Scholarship Toolkit for 2023-’24

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

ACWA and CMUA Comment Letter on Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Subject: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Lead and Copper Rule Improvements […]

Suggested News

15 Articles prev next
ACWA Members Attend Workshop on Proposed Water Use Efficiency Regulations

SACRAMENTO – The State Water Resources Control Board today held a pre-rulemaking workshop on the proposed regulatory framework for “Making […]

Alameda County Water District Board of Directors Rescind Drought Surcharge

The Alameda County Water District Board of Directors voted unanimously at a special Board meeting on March 21, to rescind […]

West Basin Announces Legislators of the Year

CARSON –  The West Basin Municipal Water District (West Basin) Board of Directors announced its Legislator of the Year awardees. […]

Westlands Names Febbo as New GM

FRESNO — Today, the Board of Directors of Westlands Water District (District) named Allison Febbo as the next General Manager. […]

WVWD Breaks Ground on the Oliver P. Roemer Water Filtration Facility Upgrade

RIALTO – On Saturday, March 18, the West Valley Water District (WVWD) was joined by government and community leaders to […]

Vandeyar Becomes First Woman of Color to Lead the City’s Department of Utilities

Pravani Vandeyar recently was appointed by City Manager Howard Chan to direct the Department of Utilities. Vandeyar, who has more […]

LCRR Inventory Industry Guidance Document Available

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Association of California Water Agencies joined the California Municipal Utility Association and others to create an […]

March 17, 2023 ACWA News Now Available Online

Sorry, but only ACWA members have permission to view this content. Member login is required.

Popularity of ACWA Events Growing

The phenomenal success of our recent ACWA D.C. Conference proved once again that demand for our programs is off the […]

Spotlight March 2023: East Bay Municipal Utility District Celebrates a Century

Today, East Bay Municipal Utility District customers just turn the tap, and the miracle of fresh, clean water is theirs, […]

EMWD Releases Annual Report Highlighting Organizational Successes

PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District today released its first-ever annual report, highlighting its 2022 accomplishments in providing services to […]

March 2023 Priority Issues Update Now Available

The March 2023 Priority Issues Update is now available online to members. The update is a summary of the latest […]

PWD Reverts to Voluntary Conservation Following Winter Storms

PALMDALE – Palmdale Water District (PWD) has downgraded its conservation guidelines from mandatory to voluntary, effectively eliminating patrolling for off-day […]

EPA Releases Proposed Drinking Water Standard for PFAS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 14, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for […]

Madera Irrigation District Will Provide Water to its Landowners at No Charge

The Madera Irrigation District (MID or District) Board of Directors has made the decision to provide water free of charge […]