2019-2020 Rescheduled Water Outlook
The District anticipates that a limit of approximately 165,000 acre-feet will be placed on the amount of water that may be carried over to the 2019 water contract year. The water remaining at contract year-end in excess of the limit will be lost according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy.
Water users are reminded that according to the District’s Rescheduling Policy, loss (whether cap or rescheduling) is prorated based on volume per acre, from highest to lowest, and is 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
Although the District’s Rescheduling Policy permits rescheduling in excess of the Acreage Based Cap, staff expects that after Cap Loss is applied, there will be about 0.35 acre-feet per acre remaining, assuming all eligible acres participate in rescheduling water. If the San Luis Reservoir fills and there is a loss due to foregone pumping (Rescheduling Loss), then that loss will be applied in addition to the Cap Loss.
Water users are given until March 10 to transfer water between accounts to reduce exposure to the Acreage Based Cap. As a reminder, if a water user loses water, the District will bill the water user all costs associated with the lost water. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Russ Freeman at (559) 241-6241.
Projected 2019-2020 CVP Contract Allocation
The Bureau of Reclamation has not announced an initial 2019-2020 allocation for CVP water service contractors. The District expects that Reclamation will make an initial allocation in February. Based
The CVP currently has approximately 6.8 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 106% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 2.5 million acre-feet; 95% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is 713,000 acre-feet; 115% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant is operating four units to comply with Old and Middle River reverse flow limitations set by the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Biological Opinion for protection of listed anadromous species.
Public Hearing on Proposed 2019-2020 Water Rates, Charges and Land-Based Charges
The District will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2019-2020 water rates, charges and land-based charges on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., at the District’s Fresno Office, 3130 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703. At this public hearing, the Board will hear and consider all objections or protests, if any, to the proposed water rates, charges
These rates and charges are proposed in order to pay the costs of water service, including District operations and maintenance; repairs of distribution system pipe; drainage service area costs for representation of landowners; and activities of the Westlands Water Quality Coalition associated with the waste discharge requirements general order for the Western Tulare Lake Basin Watershed. For additional information, please refer to the District’s notice dated January 4, 2019.
If you have any questions, please call the following:
- For water rates and charges, Customer Accounting at (559) 241-6250
- For land-based charges, Steve Farmer at (559) 241-6240
- For charges of the Westlands Water Quality Coalition, Nicole Branum at (559) 241-6235
Reclamation Law Certification/Reporting
Earlier this month, notices were mailed to water users and landowners regarding the Reclamation Law’s annual certification/reporting requirements. The forms are due for filing with the District by February 1, 2019. Lands are ineligible for service in the new water year until the forms are submitted. This filing deadline allows timely processing of the forms and helps to ensure water service is not interrupted. Water users who lease land may want to check with their landowners to make sure the landowner is aware of and will return the form(s) by the deadline. If you have any questions, please call your Customer Service Representative at (559) 241-6250.
General Allocation of Other District Water
The District acquired approximately 102,700 acre-feet of supplemental water this water contract year. Upon allocation of supplemental water subscribed by water users, approximately 9,900 acre-feet remained unsubscribed, as surplus. At its June meeting, the Board determined to allocate this remaining surplus water as Other Water. Per Article 2.4
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Update
At the January 15 Board Meeting, District staff provided the Board a summary of the concepts previously presented to manage the groundwater subbasin. As a reminder, all meetings are open to
Westlands Special Election for Vacant Board of Director Position
A special election is scheduled to be held in Westlands Water District on February 26, 2019, for the office of Director. The election will be conducted as an all-mail ballot election and there will be no polling places. Ballots will be mailed to each District landowner. In order to have your vote counted, you must use the official ballot and return it by mail or deliver it to the District office in Fresno, using the identification/return envelope provided.
Westlands Water Quality Coalition Members
2018 Farm Evaluations and Nitrogen Summary Reports are due on March 1, 2019. All submissions are required to be completed online. The Westlands Water Quality Coalition (WWQC) will hold a workshop on Thursday, January 24 at 10:00 AM at the Fresno County Farm Bureau Office (1274 W Hedges Ave Fresno, CA 93728) that will cover information on upcoming submittals, Nitrogen Summary feedback, WWQC updates, and General Order revisions. For further information and to RSVP for this workshop, contact Nicole Branum at (559) 241-6235 or by email nbranum@westlandswater.org.
The Central Valley Water Board released proposed revisions to the Waste Discharge Requirements General Order R5-2014-001 For Growers Within the Western Tulare Lake Basin Area That Are Members of a Third-Party Group (General Order). A public hearing will be held on February 7 and 8, 2019 in Rancho Cordova. Members are encouraged to review revisions and contact Debra Dunn at 559-241-6242 or ddunn@westlandswater.org if you have any questions or comments.
As a reminder, all landowners and farm operators adjacent to the Panoche-Silver Creek, Cantua Creek
Low Interest Irrigation Equipment Lease Program
The District’s Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (
Westlands Booth at World Ag Expo
The World Ag Expo is just around the corner (February 12 to 14 in Tulare, CA), featuring seminars, farm equipment, ag technology
Holiday Office Closures & Water Ordering Procedures
District offices will be closed on Monday, February 18, 2019, in observance of President’s Day. The affected water ordering deadlines are as follows:
| For Water Use On | Place Water Order By |
| Saturday or Sunday – February 16 or 17 | Friday, February 15, 9:30 a.m. |
| Monday or Tuesday – February 18 or 19 | Friday, February 15, noon |
The emergency telephone number for after hours and holidays is (559) 224-1523.