Central Valley farmers will see slightly more water headed their way than previously expected.
The Bureau of Reclamation announced Tuesday that it is increasing the water allocation for south-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors by 3%.
By the numbers: The 3% increase will see the contracted total move from 25% to 28%.
Driving the news: Reclamation said the increase underscores the commitment of the Trump administration to improve the water supply, per Executive Order 14181.
That executive order specifically called on the federal government to increase water deliveries in California.
What they’re saying: “Increasing water allocations means more reliable water for California’s farmers, families and communities, supporting food production, local economies and greater affordability,” said Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are making the most of available water supplies and improving delivery certainty so the Central Valley Project can better serve the people and communities that depend on it.”
Adam Nickels, Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Acting Regional Director, said the agency continues to carefully monitor hydrologic conditions.
“While conditions this year have been dynamic, careful monitoring and water supply management provide for updated water allocations to our south-of-Delta contractors while continuing to meet project operational requirements,” Nickels said. “We remain committed to working closely with our water users and partners to maximize water supply reliability for California communities, agriculture, and the environment.”
Westlands responds: Westlands Water District General Manager Allison Febbo released a statement thanking Reclamation for the increase while calling for California’s water management system to be modernized.
“Even when hydrologic conditions improve, our current system too often falls short of delivering available water to the people, farms, and communities that depend on it,” Febbo said. “In this strained system, every drop counts and this increase is meaningful to the farmers on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties. Our growers produce food for our region, our state, and the country’s tables. Every additional acre-foot of surface water helps them maintain operations, preserve farm jobs, keep agricultural land in production, and reduce pressure on groundwater pumping. We do not take that for granted.”
Febbo said the increased allocation will directly help farmers avoid pumping groundwater preserves.
“We look forward to continue working with Reclamation and federal and state leadership as we work together toward a more reliable and responsive water supply system that can better serve the family farmers and rural communities of the San Joaquin Valley for years to come,” Febbo said.