California Water News Daily Your Source For Water News in California
The state water project allocation – initially forecast at 5 percent – has been increased to 15 percent according to a recent announcement by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The SWP provides water to 29 public water agencies that serve 27 million Californians.
Officials attribute the increase to strong storms the state received in late November and early December.
“The past several weeks has brought welcome rain and snow to Northern California and these improved conditions have allowed the State Water Project to increase the allocation forecast to the benefit of millions of Californians,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth in a written statement.
State water managers continue to monitor precipitation and snowpack conditions as well as account for dry soils that may soak up some of the spring runoff following record heat this past summer. Additionally, Southern California remains very dry and has not benefited from the atmospheric rivers experienced so far this season.
Each year, DWR provides SWP allocation forecasts based on available water storage, projected water supply, and water demands. Allocations are updated monthly as snowpack, rainfall, and runoff information is assessed, with a final allocation typically determined in May or June. As the winter progresses, if California sees an increase in rain and snowfall, the allocation forecast may increase.
