Water Board proposed emergency curtailment order for Delta

The State Water Resources Control Board issued a draft emergency curtailment order last week that would force many pre-1914 appropriative and certain riparian water right claimants from taking water out of the state’s major rivers and streams due to a worsening drought.

The Board had previously sent Notices of Water Unavailability to all water right holders in the Delta watershed, alerting all post-1914 appropriative water right holders that water was not available to serve their priorities. They also warned all pre-1914 appropriative and riparian water right claimants of impending water unavailability based on worsening drought conditions and the resulting likelihood of consideration of an emergency regulation to curtail water use throughout the Delta watershed.

The proposed emergency regulation would require water right holders:

• Curtail diversions when the State Water Board determines that water is not available
• Provide additional information related to their diversion and use of water

A public workshop is scheduled for today, July 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Interested members of the public can participate via zoom link or by phone at:

Zoom Telephone Number: (669) 900-9128
Meeting ID: 973 0250 5268
Passcode: 242851

The Board is scheduled to vote on the “emergency curtailment” order Aug. 3. If approved, it would take effect about two weeks later. There would be exceptions for drinking water and other needs.