California Ag Network

Tag: The Bureau of Reclamation

  • Reclamation Grant Supports Unified Water Plan for San Joaquin Valley

    The Bureau of Reclamation today announced an award of about $1 million to help the California Water Institute and Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley develop and integrate subregional water management efforts and local projects into a unified water plan for the San Joaquin Valley.

    “Reclamation is committed to looking towards the future relative to sustainable resource management and we are excited to partner and support efforts spearheaded by CWI and the Water Blueprint,” said Adam Nickels, Reclamation’s chief of resources management and planning. “Under this effort, information will be gathered by a diverse cross-section of the American public and stakeholders and will be used by resource decision-makers and stakeholders.”

    The water plan report will leverage information from counties, cities, and groundwater sustainability agencies. “I’m excited to work with all of the different agencies and evaluate their needs and find a connection between all of them,” said Laura Ramos, CWI research and education division interim director. “Being able to take a look at the entire area will give us a really good visual of what the San Joaquin Valley needs.”

    The two-year project will look at existing and future conditions and consider various aspects of the plans, including water quality, supply, conveyance, reliability, conservation efforts, flood control and population growth.

    The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov/ and follow us on Twitter @USBR & @ReclamationCGB; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

  • $1.8 Million in CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grants Announced

    The Bureau of Reclamation announces selection of four California projects to receive $1.8 million total for fiscal year 2022 under the Bay-Delta Restoration Program, CALFED Water Use Efficiency grants. Combined with local cost-share contributions, these projects are expected to implement about $16.1 million in water management improvements during the next two years.

    The projects will conserve an estimated 3,859 acre-feet of water per year and better manage 18,000 acre-feet, contributing to the CALFED Bay-Delta Program objectives of improving ecosystem health, water supply reliability and water quality. California and federal agencies are partners in the 30-year program (2000-2030).

    This investment in water use efficiency is part of Reclamation’s continuing strategy to respond to drought. Reclamation is working with states, tribes, agriculture, power customers, municipalities, conservation organizations, and other stakeholder communities on projects and activities across the West to address drought conditions and impacts.

    Reclamation made the selection of the following four projects through a competitive process, prioritizing projects addressing CALFED goals on a statewide basis.

    Cawelo Water District, $500,000

    The Friant-Kern Canal Pump Station, Turnout/In and Appurtenances Project will increase water conveyance capacity by constructing a pump station and a 1.8-mile, 48-inch pipeline intertie. The intertie will convey wet-period water, when available in the Friant-Kern Canal, to groundwater recharge basins or for irrigation purposes in-lieu of pumping groundwater. The Kern County project will save 2,160 acre-feet of water per year over the 50-year life of the project, of which 657 acre-feet a year is attributed to the Bay Delta. The total project cost is $6,230,000 and the federal cost share is $500,000.

    Contra Costa Water District, $300,000

    The Lawn to Garden Rebate Program will incentivize the conversion of 660,000 square feet of turf to water friendly landscape among residential and commercial properties within the Contra Costa Water District. The project will save 60 acre-feet of water per year over the 15-year life of the project, all of which is attributed to the Bay Delta. The total project cost is $602,000 and the federal cost share is $300,000.

    Meridian Farms Water Company, $499,700

    The Main Canal Automation Project will better manage water elevation within the canal and eliminate operational water spills at the canal bottom by replacing six existing manual check structures with efficient long-crested weirs with automated dual-leaf vein gates. This project in Sutter County will better manage 18,000 acre-feet of water per year over the 40-year life of the project, all of which is attributed to the Bay Delta. The total project cost is $5,901,100 and the federal cost share is $499,700.

    Semitropic Water Storage District, $500,000

    The Pipeline Conveyance Improvements for Recharge Enhancements project will consist of installing a 1.8-mile pipeline to increase conveyance of State Water Project wet-period water where bottlenecks in supply exist. The new pipe is 30% larger than existing and will result in increased conveyance to support recharge activities and meet on-farm irrigation demand. The project in Kern County will save 1,639 acre-feet of water per year over the 50-year life of the project, of which 375 acre-feet of water per year is attributed to the Bay Delta. The total project cost is $3,400,153 and the federal cost share is $500,000.

    The fiscal year 2023 and 2024 CALFED funding notice is expected to be posted on www.grants.gov in July 2022. For more information on the Water Use Efficiency Program, contact Anna Sutton at asutton@usbr.gov or 916-978-5214 (TTY 800-877-8339).

  • CA Takes Major Share in Reclamation’s $20.5 Million for Drought Resiliency

    The Bureau of Reclamation is making its initial 2022 selection of 13 projects for $20.5 million in grants to build long-term drought resiliency. These projects will leverage more than $66.7 million in non-federal funding to complete projects in five states.

    “Climate change presents growing challenges to our communities across the West and the natural systems that we all depend on,” said Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Tanya Trujillo. “The Department of the Interior will continue to work with our partners to develop innovative solutions that address the challenges we face.”

    Reclamation will fund the projects through supplemental appropriations included in the first fiscal year 2022 continuing resolution. Reclamation may select additional drought resiliency projects once the regular fiscal year 2022 appropriations have been received. Applicants are being notified of project funding on a rolling basis.

    “The Western United States is experiencing unprecedented dryness and drought,” said Chief Engineer David Raff. “This WaterSMART funding will help communities be more resilient and diversify their water supplies as climate change makes droughts worse.”

    Reclamation’s Drought Response Program is part of WaterSMART. It supports a proactive approach to drought by providing water managers assistance to implement projects to build long-term resiliency to drought and climate change while supporting President Biden’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

    The 13 selected projects are:

    • Bear River Water Conservancy District (Utah), $2 million
    • Bella Vista Water District (California), $2 million
    • Casitas Municipal Water District (California), $2 million
    • City of Fresno (California), $293,450
    • City of Gallup (New Mexico), $2 million
    • City of Grand Junction (Colorado), $300,000
    • Delano-Earlimart Irrigation District (California), $2 million
    • Deschutes Irrigation District (Oregon), $1,370,473
    • North Kern Water Storage District (California), $500,000
    • Rancho California Water District (California), $2 million
    • San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District (California), $2 million
    • South Coast Water District (California), $2 million
    • South San Joaquin Municipal Utility District (California), $2 million

    Please visit the Drought Response Program website for project descriptions and information on the program.

    Through WaterSMART, Reclamation works cooperatively with states, tribes, and local entities to plan for and implement actions to increase water supply reliability through investments to modernize existing infrastructure and attention to local water conflicts. Visit www.usbr.gov/watersmart to learn more.

    Reclamation’s efforts will be boosted by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s investments in water efficiency and recycling programs, water storage, rural water projects, watershed projects, dam safety and other projects that will ensure that western communities have the opportunity to leverage federal funding for their benefit.

  • Reclamation Launches Website with Real-time Data, Interactive Drought Resources

    The Bureau of Reclamation launched a new web portal today that provides real-time drought-related information and details of drought actions taken in collaboration with stakeholders and partners. The science-based web portal is designed to increase public and media understanding of drought conditions and the all-of-government efforts to mitigate these conditions by the Biden administration.

    The features of the interactive multi-page platform highlight Reclamation’s efforts and investments to mitigate drought impacts, increase drought resiliency, reduce reliance on declining water sources and increase the efficiency of water deliveries. The portal is user friendly and provides easy-to-understand features, explanations and current information on cutting-edge science, drought actions, current conditions and climate change visualizations that will help the public understand the complex drought conditions in the West.

    “Reclamation recognizes the 2021 water year is a historically difficult year for the 17 Western states and for Tribes, fisheries, wildlife, farmers and ranchers, and communities. We hope this tool will be a helpful resource for viewing real-time updates on drought conditions and learn more about what’s being done to combat this challenging drought situation,” said Deputy Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton. “Users of this web portal will be able to explore data-driven mapping visualizations and delve into the new science and forecasting tools used to conduct water supply planning and optimization of water reservoir operations.”

    The Department of the Interior is helping lead the Biden administration’s Drought Relief Interagency Working Group, which is marshaling existing resources and working in partnership with state, local and Tribal governments to address the needs of communities suffering from drought-related impacts. The Working Group is actively working to identify and disburse immediate financial and technical assistance for impacted irrigators and Tribes. It is also developing longer-term measures to respond to climate change, including building more resilient communities and protecting the natural environment.

    A series of online public briefings will be announced to introduce its major interactive features.

    Information on the web portal is available at www.usbr.gov/addressing-drought/.

  • Trump Administration Advances Plan to Create New Water Storage in Northern California

    The Bureau of Reclamation today released the final feasibility report for the North-of-the-Delta Off-stream Storage Investigation. The report documents the potential costs and benefits of the Sites Reservoir Project. As part of a continuing effort to increase storage capability throughout California, Reclamation and the Sites Project Authority worked together to evaluate new off-stream surface water storage north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The Final Feasibility Report was transmitted to Congress on December 22.

    Located 81 miles northwest of Sacramento, Sites Reservoir would store water diverted from the Sacramento River for future releases to beneficiaries throughout the state. The proposed project includes an off-stream reservoir located north-of-the Delta where the majority of California’s rainfall occurs.

    “California is in dire need of additional storage, and projects like Sites Reservoir will provide operational flexibility and more reliable water delivery to benefit farms, communities, and the environment,” said Commissioner Brenda Burman. “The Sites Reservoir Project is an important opportunity for additional storage in northern California.”

    The proposed reservoir would provide additional water supply for agriculture and municipal and industrial purposes, CVP-operational flexibility, anadromous fish benefits (migrating fish that return from the ocean to spawn), wildlife refuges, Delta ecosystem enhancement, flood damage reduction, and recreation.

    “We are pleased to partner with Sites Project Authority on this unique off-stream storage project to create much needed water storage in California,” said Regional Director Ernest Conant. “The multi-beneficial Sites Reservoir would increase northern California’s water storage capacity by up to 15% and provide water supply, flood protection, environmental, and recreation benefits for generations to come.”

    “Environmental water has always been at the heart of the Sites Reservoir Project,” said Fritz Durst, Sites Project Authority chairman. “Partnering with Reclamation will help restore flexibility, reliability, and resiliency to our statewide water supply – especially in dry years – and will create an environmental asset for the state by providing water and dedicated storage for environmental needs that do not currently exist.”

    “We are grateful for the partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation on this one-of-a-kind water storage project,” said Sites Project Authority Vice Chairman Jeff Sutton. “Sites Reservoir will serve to greatly enhance the operational efficiency of our existing statewide water delivery system and significantly improve drought resiliency for our participating water agencies—who collectively represent over 24 million Californians and more than 500,000 acres of farmland from all parts of the state.”

    The Sites Reservoir Project is a joint investigation between Reclamation and Sites Project Authority, authorized by Congress in 2003. The diversity of potential participants includes local, state, and federal interests as a collective of investors. As the project advances, it will be optimized for current conditions and affordability of all participants, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing conditions.

    For additional information contact Project Manager Ryan Davis, Bureau of Reclamation, at 916-978-5083 (TTY 800- 877-8339) or rdavis@usbr.gov.

  • Reclamation awards $1 million in CALFED grants to improve water reliability, enhance environment

    The Bureau of Reclamation awarded a total of $1 million in CALFED Water Use Efficiency grants to two California projects that will conserve around 4,000 acre-feet annually and improve infrastructure for fiscal year 2020. Combined with local cost-share contributions, these projects are expected to implement about $2.7 million in water management improvements during the next two years.

    The two selected projects are described below:

    Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District $500,000 grant. The district will install a new 27-inch pipeline along a 1.5-mile alignment in Shafter, connect a pipeline to an existing neighboring district pipeline and then bank this water for future drought. This available water will help mitigate the district’s on-farm groundwater pumping and alleviate some of the groundwater basin overdraft. Annual water savings will conserve around 3,000 acre-feet (or about 978,000 gallons); lifetime water savings will be 144,000 acre-feet (or about 46.9 billion gallons) over the project’s 50-year life. Project cost is $1,559,787 with a federal cost-share of $500,000.

    South San Joaquin Municipal Utility District $500,000 grant. The district will construct 40 acres of spreading ponds and install a recovery well within its boundaries to provide district operational flexibility and absorb surface water when available for recharge and irrigation recovery in peak-demand months or dry periods. Annual water savings will conserve around 1,100 acre-feet (or about 358 million gallons); lifetime water savings will be 55,800 acre-feet (or about 18 billion gallons) over the project’s 50-year life. Project cost is $1,162,926 with a federal cost-share of $500,000.

    These projects will contribute to CALFED Bay-Delta Program’s objectives of improving ecosystem health, water supply reliability and water quality. California and federal agencies are partners in the 30-year program (2000-2030). Reclamation’s competitive selection process prioritized projects that addressed statewide CALFED goals.

    Fiscal year 2020 CALFED funding is available through Funding Opportunity Announcement BOR-MP-F002. Applications are due by Dec. 2, 2019, through www.grants.gov. Contact Anna Sutton for more information on the Water Use Efficiency Program at asutton@usbr.gov or 916-978-5214 (TTY 800-877-8339).

  • Statement on Bureau of Reclamation’s Initial Water Supply Allocation

    FRESNO, CA – Yesterday, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) announced a 35% initial water allocation for south-of-Delta Central Valley Project (CVP) agricultural water service contractors.
    Westlands appreciates that this initial allocation is higher than it otherwise would have been but for the diligent work by Reclamation staff to make the initial allocation as high as practicable. However, given the current hydrologic conditions, including above average precipitation and snowpack in the northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains, a 35% allocation is further evidence that the 2009 biological opinion controlling temperature management of Shasta Reservoir is placing unreasonable restrictions on CVP operations. Moreover, the 35% initial allocation demonstrates the need to update the existing biological opinions to reflect the science that has emerged over the last decade.
    This year total runoff into the Shasta, Trinity, and Folsom reservoirs during the months of April-July is projected to be 1.0 million-acre-feet (MAF), more than was projected at this time in 2012 when the District received a final allocation of 40%. Similarly, the same comparison shows the San Joaquin basin is expected to have 1.1 MAF more runoff into the New Melones, Don Pedro, and McClure reservoirs, and storage at the San Luis Reservoir is on track to be 140-thousand-acre feet more than at this time in 2012.
    For Westlands farmers, low initial allocations create uncertainty about how much of their land can be farmed and how much productive farmland will need to be fallowed and contribute to over pumping groundwater. Westlands looks forward to working with Reclamation and other federal and state agencies to reexamine regulatory restrictions that are imposing unreasonable restriction on operations of the CVP. Westland logo

  • California Farm Water Coalition Statement on New Biological Assessments

    Recognizing the failure of the existing biological opinions issued a decade ago by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for Delta smelt and by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for salmon, the Bureau of Reclamation released a new biological assessment which serves as the basis for new biological opinions that will be released within 135 days. The Biological Assessment details the manner in which the agencies will operate the project and make operations more effective in preserving fish and delivering water to communities and farms. The Bureau of Reclamation is now taking a common-sense approach and applying scientific principles to water supply and fishery protections.
    “The current, outdated biological opinions have been plagued with operational problems that experts determined were largely ineffective at helping the endangered fish they were intended to help,” said Mike Wade, executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition. “In addition, the two outdated biological opinions often worked against one another, such as requiring more upstream storage for salmon to keep temperatures lower and at the same time, requiring more water to be released to the Delta to benefit smelt. These biological opinions have failed all parties – fish and wildlife, communities, and farmers,” he said.
    The Bureau’s new Biological Assessment takes into account the failures of the older biological opinions and creates a new process to modernize operations, utilizing science and operational flexibility to improve the operations and efficiency of the Central Valley and State Water projects. The Biological Assessment makes several changes to the operations of the Central Valley Project, based on the experience with the older biological opinions, the drought, and prior policy decisions. This modern Biological Assessment requires science-based operational changes that respond to actual conditions rather than follow a calendar-based approach to species protections. Using a smarter approach encourages adjustments that will allow for better temperature control for salmon while reducing the impacts on the Delta. It bases flow requirements on a variety of factors rather than using flow as the sole determinant for water project management.
    The Biological Assessment moves away from the failed presumption that water projects are the only cause of the decline in fish species.
    “The new Biological Assessment starts with a “clean slate” and seeks to determine those effects that are unrelated to the projects but are impacting fish populations in order to manage the projects. By focusing on a more integrated and holistic approach, federal and state agencies can utilize science and effective operational measures in the new biological opinions to address all the factors impacting the fish populations, he said.
    The operations analyzed in the new Biological Assessment are intended to allow the projects, designed and built to provide water to California communities, to fulfill that obligation and provide critical information to federal and state agencies that will improve the conditions for fish and wildlife and the Delta habitat.

  • Reclamation Releases Biological Assessment for CA Water Operations

    The Bureau of Reclamation released late last week the Biological Assessment for the re-initiation of consultation on the coordinated long-term operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project. The document was transmitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service for consideration in developing new biological opinions covering CVP and SWP operations. Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources re-initiated consultation in 2016 based on new information related to multiple years of drought and ongoing science efforts.

    In October 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed the Presidential Memorandum on Promoting the Reliable Supply and Delivery of Water in the West, citing the “diminished…ability” of America’s infrastructure “to deliver water and power in an efficient, cost‑effective way.” To that end, the Memorandum directed the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce to work together to complete the consultation process in a timely manner.

    The Biological Assessment supports Reclamation’s consultation pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It was prepared consistent with the timeline outlined in the Presidential Memorandum. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service are expected to issue final biological opinions within 135 days.

    “It has been 10 years since the biological opinions on the coordinated long-term operation of the CVP and SWP were issued. Since then, we’ve experienced extreme drought and invested significant resources to advance the science of the Central Valley and the Delta in coordination with our state and federal partner agencies and stakeholders. The result of our investments is an improved understanding of the system,” said Mid-Pacific Regional Director Ernest Conant. “By expanding our toolkit with the best science and using what we know today, new biological opinions will allow us to maximize water and power benefits while supporting endangered fish populations.”

    The Biological Assessment analyzes potential effects of the proposed action on federally listed endangered and threatened species and critical habitat for these species. The proposed action incorporates the best available science into the operation of the CVP and SWP. Proposed actions outlined in the document include temperature management at Shasta Dam, fall habitat and salinity measures in the Delta, and entrainment management related to water exports. Together, these proposed actions aim to give water operators more flexibility, maximize water supply delivery and optimize power generation consistent with applicable laws.

    The Biological Assessment is available here.