This notice regards:
2023-2024 Initial and Projected Allocation
On February 22, 2023, The Bureau of Reclamation announced an initial 2023-24 Central Valley Project (CVP) allocation of 35% for South of Delta agricultural water contractors.
Reclamation will make additional allocation announcements based on updated hydrologic information. The final allocation, typically made in April or May, will depend on the actual hydrology in the watersheds that produce runoff in the upper Sacramento River basin. District staff forecasts that under a median hydrology, going forward, the allocation could be 65-75%. If the hydrology is above average, and if there is significant runoff on the San Joaquin River during the spring, the allocation could be greater. The District will continue to monitor and timely report changes to the CVP allocation.
With the possibility of an increased CVP South of Delta allocation and the potential for 215 Water, Water users are encouraged to use surface water and refrain from pumping groundwater.
San Luis Reservoir Refill Projection
The CVP share of water stored in San Luis Reservoir (SLR) is 770,000 AF and increasing at an average rate of 8,000 AF/day. Increased pumping and sustained low demands are resulting in an accelerated refill rate. As such, CVP SLR is projected to fill by the first week of April under median conditions. With flood flows into the Mendota Pool starting in April and increased Delta inflows expected during April and May, Jones Pumping Plant pumping should keep the CVP share of SLR full through most of May.
Based on historical deliveries in similar type years, the District expects to deliver all carryover water, 75,000 AF, by the end of April. If all District carryover water is delivered before sustained drawdown occurs, then the risk of loss of carryover water is eliminated.
Once SLR fills, Reclamation may declare Delta Division Section 215 Water available. The District will use as much Delta Division Section 215 as possible to meet water demands. Water delivered during this period does not incur Reclamation’s $13.04/AF storage operation and maintenance rate.
Water Resources Summary
The CVP currently has approximately 6.2 million acre-feet of water stored in northern CVP reservoirs; this represents 87% of the 15-year average. Shasta Reservoir storage is approximately 2.9 million acre-feet; 93% of the 15-year average. Federal storage in San Luis Reservoir is at 770,000 acre-feet; 121% of the 15-year average. Jones Pumping Plant is operating at 5 units and pumping to meet demands and fill San Luis Reservoir.
The Northern Sierra received nearly 6 inches of snow water equivalent (SWE) in the last seven days, bringing the year-to-date total SWE to 48.4 inches. The April 1 average for the Northern Sierra is 166% and is at 173% normal for this date. The Central Sierra received 6 inches of SWE in the past week. The year-to-date total SWE is at 55.7 inches, the April 1 average for the Central Sierra is 213% and is at 223% normal for this date.
The National Weather Service’s (NWS) Climate Prediction Center One Month Outlook shows a 40-50% chance of above normal precipitation throughout most of the state. The NWS also shows a 50-60% chance of below normal temperatures in the Northern portion of the state, 40-50% in the central portion and 33-40% in the southern portion.
2023-2024 Supplemental Water Application – Response May be Required
Customer Accounting Representative: (559) 241-6250
The District is planning to acquire Supplemental Water from multiple sources for the 2023-2024 water contract year. The District anticipates that a substantial allocation of Supplemental Water to water users could occur in late spring.
When Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, the quantity allocated to a water user’s account is a proration based on the water available at that time and the number of irrigable acres associated with accounts that have outstanding requests. When an account’s request has been fulfilled, it will no longer receive allocations, and the irrigable acres associated with that account will not be factored into subsequent allocations. Accordingly, water users with relatively high per-acre requests will receive the bulk (increment above the pro-rata amount) of their request later, if water is available.
Advance payment for acquisition costs of the water is required at the time Supplemental Water is made available for allocation, while operation and maintenance-related costs will be billed when the water is used. The District will notify water users regarding the allocation advance payment when acquisition costs are more certain. The allocation advance payment will apply toward the delivered Supplemental Water rate. If an advance payment is delinquent for 30 days or more, the District may withdraw the water made available for allocation to a water user and reduce the water user’s outstanding request by the same amount.
If you would like to be part of the 2023-2024 Supplemental Water program, please complete the enclosed agreement and return it to the Fresno Office by close of business on May 1, 2023, by one of the following means.
- Mail to: Westlands Water District, P.O. Box 6056, Fresno, CA 93703. You may also hand deliver the agreement to the District’s Fresno Office, at 3130 N. Fresno Street.
- Scan and email: customeraccounting@wwd.ca.gov
- Facsimile to: (559) 241-6276
Agreements not received at the District or postmarked by the due date will not be considered timely. Late Requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis after timely requests are filled.
No. 697
2023-2024 Agreement to Accept and Purchase Supplemental Water (PDF)