For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Jonasson
(559) 241-6233
Westlands Water District Responds to Increased Central Valley Project Initial Water Allocation
Fresno, CA — Today, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced an increase to the initial water allocation for Central Valley Project (CVP) water. Reclamation initially allocated Westlands Water District (Westlands), and similarly situated contractors, 35% of the water entitled to under contract, but today’s announcement brings the total up to 80%.
In response to the announcement, Jose Gutierrez, Westlands’ interim general manager, issued the following statement:
“We appreciate the Bureau of Reclamation’s time and effort to increase the water allocation and consider the changes in precipitation, reservoir storage levels, and snow water content in the Sierra that we’ve been blessed with since the initial allocation in February. For farmers and our Westside communities who have dealt with drought, and a 0% allocation these past two years, being in a position to have certainty of additional water supplies for the year to come will help them recuperate, hire and retain staff, and bolster their ability to continue feeding the world.”
While many farmers have already made planting decisions based on the initial allocation, the increase will enable farmers to reduce or temporarily eliminate groundwater pumping as well as recharge the aquifer.
Although storage levels in the reservoirs Westlands’ relies on for water have increased significantly, and the California snowpack is near record-breaking, the lack of adequate water infrastructure has left a lot of water the State could have used in future dry periods, uncaptured. In order to have a sustainable water supply system moving forward, California must be able to capture, transport, and store as much water as possible during wet periods to avoid drastic cuts during dry periods.
As climate continues to change, we must remain steadfast in investing in a more predictable and reliable water supply system for our environment, residents, farms and communities.
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About Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.