State Water Project increases planned water deliveries

SACRAMENTO – The Department of Water Resources announced last week that recent storms have allowed for another increase to the State Water Project allocation forecast for 2025.  

The allocation has increased to 35% of requested water supplies, up from 20% in January based on increases in precipitation, snowpack and reservoir storage. The SWP provides water to 29 public water agencies – including the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency – that serve 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland across the state. 

The latest allocation forecast takes into account precipitation and snowpack conditions up to Feb. 10, prior to a cold storm that brought welcome snow to the Sierra. That snowpack will be included in future water supply calculations along with any forecasted dry conditions ahead. 

“California is experiencing a winter of extremes. We’ve seen predominately dry conditions broken up by very wet, short storm events. Those conditions mean we must move as much water when it’s available and as safely as possible,” DWR Director Karla Nemeth said in a news release. “Ultimately it will require new infrastructure to move and store enough water for California as dry spells last longer and wet periods become shorter and flashier.”  

Each year, DWR provides SWP allocation forecasts based on available water storage, projected water supply, and water demands. Allocations are updated monthly as snowpack, rainfall, and runoff information is assessed, with a final allocation typically determined in May or June.  

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