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
Draft Extended Arrearage Program Guidelines – Comment Letter

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject:Comment Letter – Draft Extended Arrearage Program Guidelines Letter excerpt: The Association of California Water […]

Request to Veto AB 249 (Holden)

To: The Honorable Gavin Newsom Subject: AB 249 (Holden) – REQUEST FOR VETO Letter excerpt: The Association of California Water […]

Priority Issues Bulletin

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

Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the SADW Fund

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Comment Letter – Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe and […]

Federal Legislative Matrix

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

Joint Comment Letter on Direct Potable Reuse Regulations

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Direct Potable Reuse Regulations (SBDDW-23-001) Letter excerpt: The increasing volatility of climate change across […]

2023 Water Professionals Appreciation Week

California’s Water Professionals Appreciation Week will kick off Oct. 7, highlighting the important role of water industry professionals and local […]

Federal Regulatory Issues Chart

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.

Making Conservation a California Way of Life Call to Action

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

Making Conservation a Way of Life Regulation

ACWA’s Making Conservation a California Way of Life Fact Sheet provides a summary of the State Water Board’s draft regulatory […]

Comments on Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program

Agency: California Energy Commission Subject: Association of California Water Agencies’ Comments on Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program Draft Guidelines and […]

Draft 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: Comment Letter – Draft Fiscal Year 2023-24 Fund Expenditure Plan for the Safe […]

State Water Board Water Use Objective Exploration Tool

Agency: State Water Resources Control Board Subject: State Water Board Water Use Objective Exploration Tool Letter excerpt: With the State […]

Petition to the California Fish and Game Commission for a Regulation Change Regarding the Striped Bass Slot Limit

Agency: California Fish and Game Commission Subject: Petition to the California Fish and Game Commission for a Regulation Change Regarding the […]

Suggested News

15 Articles prev next
ACWA Statement on the Passing of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein

SACRAMENTO – Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) released the following statement today on the passing of longtime U.S. Sen. […]

Roseville Gets $8 Million Grant for Two New Groundwater Wells

In a proactive move to address the challenges posed by climate change and to align with statewide water management objectives, […]

Roseville’s Utility Exploration Center Undergoing Full Exhibit Revamp

The revamped learning center will continue to inspire change and environmental stewardship in the world of utilities  After years of […]

EMWD Highlights Future-Focused Investments During State of The District

PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) hosted its State of the District event today, providing its key stakeholders with […]

Water Industry Careers Highlighted by Student Write Off Contest Winners

PERRIS — Eastern Municipal Water District has announced the winners for its annual Write Off contest, in which area students […]

State Water Contractors and Coalition Issue Support Letter for the VAs

SACRAMENTO – The State Water Contractors and the below water agencies and organizations issued a letter in support of the Voluntary Agreements […]

Nation’s Largest Statewide Public Water Agency Coalition Elects Leadership for 2024-‘25

SACRAMENTO – The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today announced the results of an election for its top leadership, […]

ACWA Board Officers’ Election and Region Election Results Announced for the 2024-’25 Term

ACWA members have elected Cathy Green as President and Ernesto “Ernie” Avila as Vice President for the 2024-’25 term. The […]

EPA Announces Availability of $20 Million in Grants to Create Water Career Opportunities

WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of over $20 million in grant funding […]

State Delivers $55 Million to Sacramento Water Agencies to Support Water Resilience

SACRAMENTO – To help combat climate change and drought impacts on regional water supplies, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) […]

MSWD Receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award

Mission Springs Water District is pleased to announce that the Government Finance Officers Association has awarded the District a Distinguished […]

Westlands Water District Clears Key Milestone Toward Groundwater Recharge Goal

FRESNO – Westlands Water District (District) has surpassed the halfway point towards it recharge goals recharging 127,000 acre feet (af) […]

DWR Releases Draft Water Plan Update 2023

SACRAMENTO — From severe, multi-year droughts to sudden flooding, California is experiencing the impacts of the intensifying climate crisis. To […]

Agencies Can Apply Now for Funding Through State Instream Flow Water Purchase Program

SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) are accepting applications for the […]

Local Water Agencies Awarded Efficiency Funding

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY – Stockton East Water District, North San Joaquin Water Conservation District, and South San Joaquin Irrigation District […]