Incremental hydrologic improvements support modest allocation increases for Delta and south-of-Delta contractors
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As California moves through the 2026 water year with highly variable hydrologic conditions, the Bureau of Reclamation is updating Central Valley Project water supply allocations to reflect current reservoir storage, snowpack, and runoff forecasts. These adjustments are intended to provide water users with improved certainty while maintaining flexibility as conditions evolve. Initial allocations for the 2026 water year were announcedFeb. 25 and are updated today.
“Hydrologic conditions this year have required careful, real-time management of our water resources,” said Acting Regional Director Adam Nickels. “These modest increases reflect both the improvements from late February storms and the need to remain cautious as we move through the remainder of the water year, especially given the current extended dry period and state of the Sierra snowpack. Our priority remains delivering reliable water supplies while protecting the long-term sustainability of the system.”
Reclamation continues to optimize operations across the Central Valley Project to balance water supply deliveries, environmental requirements, and reservoir management. Operational improvements supported by Executive Order 14181 have also enhanced Reclamation’s ability to efficiently manage and deliver available water supplies under these conditions.
Based on current hydrology and updated forecasts, Reclamation is announcing the following changes to CVP water supply allocations:
In-Delta Contractors
- Cross Valley irrigation water service and repayment contractors are increased from 15% to 20% of their contract total. In-Delta Municipal and Industrial contractors remain at 100%, as announced February 25.
South-of-Delta Contractors
- Irrigation water service and repayment contractors south-of-Delta are increased from 15% to 20% of their contract total.
- Municipal and Industrial water service and repayment contractors south-of-Delta allocations are increased from 65% to 70% of their historic use, or public health and safety needs, whichever is greater.
An additional 222,000 acre-feet (around an additional 10%) of water that was previously rescheduled by south-of-Delta contractors is also available for use this water year.
Further, Reclamation continues to manage a portion of storage—about 94,000 acre-feet of water—in San Luis Reservoir as part of its drought reserve strategy, which is not included in current year allocation determinations.
All other allocation amounts announced on Feb. 25 remain unchanged.
Water supply updates are available on Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Region website.
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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.
