SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation announced on Thursday the initial 2026 water supply allocations for Central Valley Project contractors.
These allocations impact more than 270 contracts that support over 3 million acres of farmland, communities across the Central Valley and Bay Area, and wildlife refuges in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley.
The allocations are determined by reservoir storage, precipitation, and snowpack levels in the Sierra Nevada, along with contractor-rescheduled water from the previous year.
Recent measurements indicate that the statewide snowpack is approximately 59% of the historical average, with key basins below the median snow-water equivalent for this time of year. Despite a dry and warm January, reservoir storage remains above average due to recent wet years and effective water management.
Executive Order 14181 has improved operations, delivering more than 200,000 acre-feet of additional water to the Central Valley Project.
“While current snowpack conditions remain below average, we are encouraged by the recent storm activity and the additional precipitation it has brought to the state,” said Acting Regional Director Adam Nickels. He added that they will continue to monitor hydrologic developments and update allocations accordingly.
Officials say that the water allocations vary by region.
North-of-Delta contractors along the Sacramento and American Rivers, as well as In-Delta contractors, are allocated 100% of their contract total. South-of-Delta contractors receive 15% for irrigation and 65% for municipal and industrial use based on historical use or public health needs. Eastside contractors receive 0%, while Friant Division contractors are allocated 100% of Class 1 water.
Wildlife refuges will receive 100% of their contract supply.
“These initial allocations reflect a cautious but realistic assessment of water availability,” said Nickels. He emphasized the commitment to delivering as much water as possible to Central Valley Project contractors.
Reclamation has reserved about 93,000 acre-feet of water in San Luis Reservoir for a drought reserve pool. Additionally, around 203,000 acre-feet of rescheduled water from the previous year is available for use this year but not included in current allocations.
The Bureau of Reclamation says they plan to continue monitoring hydrology and may adjust allocations if conditions change. Updates will be available on the Reclamation California-Great Basin Region’s website.