Millions Of Californians On Track To Get More Water From State After January Rain

CALIFORNIA — The heavy rain that brought death and destruction to Californians earlier in the month will now allow the state to provide six times more water than initially projected to 27 million residents.

The Department of Water Resources announced Thursday it expected to deliver a total of 1.27 million acre-feet of water to 29 public water agencies from the Bay Area to Southern California as part of the State Water Project. The water delivery projection is equivalent to 30 percent of the amount requested, up from an initial projection of 5 percent on Dec. 1.

California experienced nine atmospheric rivers in early January that helped fill reservoirs and increase the Sierra Nevada snowpack. The State Water Project’s two largest reservoirs — Oroville and San Luis — gained a combined 1.62 million acre-feet, enough to provide water to 5.6 million households for a year.

“These storms made clear the importance of our efforts to modernize our existing water infrastructure for an era of intensified drought and flood,” department Director Karla Nemeth said in a news release. “Given these dramatic swings, these storm flows are badly needed to refill groundwater basins and support recycled water plants.”

In addition to serving millions of people, the water project services 750,000 acres of farmland, according to Cal Matters, which reported that Thursday’s announcement marks the first time in decades that such a low initial estimate from the state has jumped so dramatically.

State authorities are “cautiously optimistic” that by early summer there will be enough water in reservoirs and aquifers to help relieve the worst effects of drought in California, according to the governor’s office.

“We’ll keep pushing to modernize our water infrastructure to take advantage of these winter storms and prepare communities for the climate-driven extremes of wet and dry ahead,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a news release.

An inland band of California was categorized as suffering from exceptional or extreme drought in late December, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. As of Thursday, most of the state was considered in a severe or moderate drought, with much of the coast no longer in a drought at all, but merely abnormally dry.

California traditionally receives half its rain and snow by the end of January, according to the water department. While recent storms have been impressive, two months remain in the wet season and the state could see a return to warm and dry conditions prior to April 1. Californians should continue to use water wisely to help the state adapt to a hotter, drier future and the possible return of drought, the department cautioned.

The lowest initial State Water Project allocation was zero percent on Dec. 1, 2021, with limited water designated only for unmet human health and safety needs, according to the department. Last year’s final allocation was 5 percent plus unmet health and safety needs. Four of the 29 water agencies that are part of the project ultimately requested and received additional water for health and safety.

The department will conduct monthly snow surveys through May 1 and may update the current year's allocation as the outlook becomes clearer, with a final allocation likely in May or June. According to Cal Matters, the final allocation is typically an increase.