The US Bureau of Reclamation says most farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will face a second year with no water from the Central Valley Project.
Ron Milligan is Operations Manager for the CVP. He says low reservoir storage is only part of the reason for the “zero allocation”.
Milligan: “We’ve accumulated probably less than average snow for the month of February so we anticipate unfortunately the March 1 snow surveys are going to be probably even less fruitful then they were in February.”
Some farmers with more senior water rights will receive 75-percent of their requested amounts, including the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors and those in the Sacramento Valley.
Municipal and industrial users will receive enough water to meet health and safety needs or 25 percent of their historic use, whichever is greater.