2017-2018 CVP Water Supply Update
The CVP currently has approximately 8.41 million acre-feet (AF) of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs. This represents 137 percent of the 15-year average. Storage in Shasta Reservoir is approximately 3.22 million AF; 129 percent of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is approximately 864,000 AF; 164 percent of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant has operated at 100 percent of capacity this month, pumping approximately 160,000 AF. Reclamation is scheduled to reduce pumping on December 24 to 80 percent of capacity due to Fall X2 action and implementation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion. The current Agricultural Water Rate for 2017-2018 CVP water is $160.18 per AF. There remains some unallocated 2017-2018 CVP water available.
2018-2019 Rescheduling Outlook
Reclamation established a Rescheduled Water cap of 150,000 AF. The cap will limit the District’s share of Rescheduled Water into the 2018-2019 water contract year to about 100,000 AF. The District forecasts approximately 400,000 AF will be remaining in water users’ accounts at the end of the current water year. Based on the District’s current forecast, at least 300,000 AF would be lost. Losses are applied at the end of the Rescheduling Period, according to the District’s Rescheduled Water Policy, if the San Luis Reservoir is full on February 28, 2018.
Please Note: The District modified the application of loss method within the Rescheduling Policy from a loss proration based on volume (acre-feet) to a loss based on volume per acre (acre-feet/acre), from highest to lowest. That loss will be applied in the following order and manner:
- Any remaining Rescheduled Water in excess of the Acreage Based Cap (0.5 acre-feet per irrigable acre).
- Water rescheduled by the District.
- Remaining Rescheduled Water.
- Delivered Rescheduled Water in excess of the Acreage Based Cap.
- Delivered Rescheduled Water within the Acreage Based Cap.
You are encouraged to log-in to your Westlands Water User account to track supply and plan your use for the remainder of the water contract year to avoid loss of allocated water. You are strongly encouraged to consider delivering surface water in-lieu of pumping groundwater. The Rescheduling Policy provides that for lost water, Water Users shall pay for any costs the District incurs, the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority O&M rate and any applicable District rates.
2017 Benefit Assessment
Assessment bills for the 2017 Benefit Assessment were mailed on October 31, 2017 and will be delinquent after March 19, 2018. A five percent penalty will be added after the delinquent date, and water service will not be allowed until all outstanding charges are addressed. Please contact Deborah Tuggle at (559) 241-6212 for additional information about assessments.
Revised 2017-2018 Land-Based Charges
The second installment of the 2017-2018 Revised Land Based Charges was due November 1, 2017. A penalty has been added to unpaid charges. Please contact Deborah Tuggle at (559) 241-6212 for payoff information about Land-Based Charges.
Groundwater Sustainability Plan Update
The District held its quarterly Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) Water User Technical Group meeting on December 7, 2017 regarding the Sustainable Management Criteria best management practices developed by DWR. The presentation materials are available at our website. Our next workshop for the GSP development will be held in February 2018; more details to follow. For any additional information regarding the District’s GSP development, contact Kiti Campbell at (559) 241-6226 or sgma@westlandswater.org.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) issued a second draft to the Eastern San Joaquin River Watershed General Order which will affect the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) statewide and is expected to cause increased regulatory fees and coalition costs. The State Board is accepting comments on the second draft until noon on December 22, 2017. Instructions on submitting comments are included in the State Board’s notification linked here. For further information contact Charlotte Gallock at (559) 241-6244 or by email cgallock@westlandswater.org.
Low Interest Irrigation Equipment Lease Program
The District’s Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP) offers low interest loans at 3.1 percent to water users for the lease-purchase of irrigation system equipment. EISIP provides funding up to $130,000 towards the purchase of irrigation system equipment, the design of irrigation system and purchase of portable aluminum irrigation pipe, micro irrigation, linear move and center pivots. Water users who plan to install a system on land that is served by a pump enrolled in a District power program may also be eligible for a 35 percent cost share, up to $45,500, from the District. Interested water users should contact Israel Sanchez at (559) 241-6237 to begin the application process.
Lease of District Owned Land
The District currently has approximately 20,000 acres of land available for lease. For a detailed list of available land, please contact Cork McIsaac of Agriculture Industries, Inc. at (916) 372-5595 or (800) 822-1415.
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Friday, December 22, and Monday, December 25, for the Christmas holiday; Monday, January 1, for New Year’s Day; and Monday, January 15, 2018 in observance of Martin Luther King Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
| Friday or Saturday – December 22 or 23 | Thursday, December 21, 9:30 a.m. |
| Sunday, Monday or Tuesday – December 24 or 25 and 26 | Thursday, December 21, noon |
| Saturday or Sunday – December 30 or 31 | Friday, December 29, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday – January 1 or 2 | Friday, December 29, noon |
| Saturday or Sunday – January 13 or 14 | Friday, January 12, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday – January 15 or 16 | Friday, January 12, noon |
The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.
Happy Holidays
From all the staff at the District, have a safe and happy holiday season!