State and federal agencies on Friday revised their forecasted water allocations for the coming irrigation season. March storms have boosted the snowpack to average and reservoirs stand at 115% of normal for this time of year.
The Department of Water Resources bumped its allocations from a meager 15% to just 30%, while the Bureau of Reclamation settled on a 35% allocation for south-of-Delta contractors.
DWR Director Karla Nemeth stressed the importance of protecting native salmon populations, and Reclamation Regional Director Karl Stock said the agency must plan for " anticipated regulatory constraints throughout the spring."
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Allison Febbo, general manager of the Westlands Water District, struck a more conciliatory tone with last month's allocations but shared disappointment with the updates. Febbo said she was led to believe that higher federal deliveries would be possible in wetter years, enabling more groundwater recharge. The district banked nearly 400,000 acre-feet of water after a 100% allocation last year.
The agencies are acting in response to a large number of steelhead pulled into Delta pumps recently. Febbo, however, reasoned that should be considered a sign of rebounding populations.
The disappointment has run across party lines. Both Rep. Jim Costa and Republican Rep. David Valadao vowed to continue pressing the agencies to increase allocations to support growers and local economies.
