Snowmelt survey to estimate water supply

Written by Business Journal Staff

Thursday, 07 May 2009 09:51

The California Department of Water Resources is conducting its final snow survey today to measure how much spring snowmelt runoff is expected to come into reservoirs. This is the last of five measurements this season that will show if the amount will change from the 68 percent average runoff usually recorded this time of year. Last year, the snowpack was  estimated at 75 percent of average coming into reservoirs. The Association of California Water Agencies is encouraging conservation by asking local and regional water associations to impose restrictions in water usage in order to maintain badly needed supplies for farmland. More than 28 agencies calling for mandatory cutbacks or prohibitions on outdoor water use with fines for excessive use or restructuring rate systems to encourage conservation.Around 57 agencies are calling for voluntary conservation. Last week, San Luis Delta Mendota Water Authority and Westlands Water District filed a joint motion calling for a preliminary injunction to prevent U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from shutting down pumps restricting water in the system The action would protect 10 percent of the Central Valley Project water supply that could be lost with the new restrictions on May 18 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, hindering the Bureau of Reclamation’s operation of CVP pumps in Delta < Prev   Next >