CA State Water System Predicts Delivery Of 5% Of Requested Amounts In 2010 - Some Increase Possible

[hatrack]

Operators of the sprawling state system that supplies water to 25 million Californians from Butte County to San Diego issued their lowest-ever estimate on the amount of water they will be able to deliver. Officials predicted Tuesday they will be able to offer only 5 percent of the total volume of water requested by California cities and farms next year. That's the smallest water allocation the agency has released since its creation in 1967.

The estimate, based on current water conditions, is only preliminary and is almost certain to rise as the rainy season wears on. Still, officials expect a multiyear drought, low reservoirs and environmental restrictions on water pumping to keep supplies well below average in 2010.

"We have to assume we're heading into a fourth year of drought and we have to respond accordingly," said Lester Snow, director of the California Department of Water Resources, the state agency that operates the network of reservoirs, pumps and pipelines known as the State Water Project.
Increase possible

If this winter were to bring relatively wet conditions, Snow said, deliveries ultimately could creep up to between 20 and 40 percent by spring. Over the last 10 years, springtime water allocations have averaged about 68 percent. Last year at this time, the department said it was likely to deliver about 15 percent. Deliveries edged up to 40 percent after late-season precipitation boosted reservoir levels and Sierra Nevada snowpack, but about 60 water agencies across the state were forced to impose some form of mandatory rationing.

EDIT

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/02/BACB1ATBDL.DTL&type=newsbayarea

[phantom power]

1. I think they should play chicken with the 5%.

That'll show nature who's boss.

[XemaSab]

2. But... but... the farmers are having problems because of the smelt!

:o