This report discusses the drought conditions in California state. Also, the report contents include the Water Supply and Conveyance issues

Cody, Betsy A.

UNT Digital Library

 October 22, 2014 California Drought: Water Supply and Conveyance Issues  Overview Nearly 60% of the state of California is experiencing “exceptional drought”—the most severe drought classification (see Figure 1, below). The 2014 water year ended September 30 as the third-driest year on record in terms of precipitation. Additionally, precipitation during the winter and spring months in 2013 was the lowest on record, leaving water storage reservoirs unusually low going into 2014. Water deliveries to water districts receiving water from federal and state facilities throughout the state were cut due to hydrological and regulatory factors. Some areas relying on groundwater saw wells go dry. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts below-normal precipitation again for this winter.  A drought declaration made by California Governor Jerry Brown on January 17, 2014, remains in effect (see http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18368). Figure 1. California Drought Conditions (Oct. 14, 2014)  Source: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced disaster declarations for most California counties (see Figure 1) and other areas in the Southwest. Such declarations trigger the availability of emergency loans designed to partially compensate for losses for producers who cannot obtain commercial credit.  Meanwhile, the Bureau of Reclamation (Department of the Interior) announced cutbacks to Central Valley Project (CVP) water users—including unprecedented cutbacks to senior water rights contractors and zero deliveries to many other contractors. The CVP supplies water to hundreds of thousands of acres throughout the state, as well as to some municipal and industrial (M&I) water users and wildlife refuges. The State Water Project (SWP) announced cutbacks to 2014 water deliveries—no new water was delivered to most contractors except in cases of public health and safety. The SWP primarily provides water to M&I users and some agricultural users. Major CVP and SWP pumps that supply water for central and southern California are located at the southern portion of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers Delta confluence with San Francisco Bay (Bay-Delta). Approximately 22 million people receive water from the Bay-Delta annually.  What’s at Stake? The widespread nature of drought conditions, coupled with low water supplies in the state’s major reservoirs and regulatory restrictions on CVP and SWP operations to protect water quality, fish, and wildlife, mean that many sectors and areas have been affected. Many cities and counties have instituted water rationing, and the governor called for consumers to cut water use by 20%.  Congress funds and oversees the Central Valley Project, which in a normal water year delivers, on average, approximately 7 million acre-feet of water annually.  CVP 2014 water deliveries have been severely curtailed due to drought and other factors. California is the country’s largest agricultural producer in terms of cash farm receipts—accounting for 11% (nearly $45 billion) of the U.S. total in 2012, the last year for which data are available (see http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/). The drought has affected crop and rangeland conditions on non-irrigated land and required livestock producers to use supplemental hay and grain. Hundreds of thousands of acres have gone fallow because sufficient water was not available.  However, fruit and nut orchards continue to need irrigation during drought. The effects of drought on California agriculture could have ramifications beyond the state, with reduced supplies and higher product prices for some commodities—particularly those for which California is the primary producer (e.g., almonds). For example, California produces 65% of the nation’s non-citrus fruit and nuts. On the other hand, where substitutions exist for some crops and are readily available, prices may not be immediately affected. Availability of groundwater or purchase of water from others may help some weather the dry conditions; however, with every corner of the state categorized as a primary drought disaster area, it is not clear how much water will be available. Some areas are already experiencing low groundwater levels and subsidence due to increased groundwater pumping in 2014 and preceding dry years. Further, this could be the beginning of a longer-term www.crs.gov  |  7-5700 California Drought: Water Supply and Conveyance Issues drought, in which case relying on diminishing groundwater supplies may not be an option.  A statewide groundwater management law was enacted in September 2014. In-state power production, recreation, air quality, and fish and wildlife also are likely to be affected. California hosts many recreational reservoirs, river rafting opportunities, and recreational and commercial fisheries that could be at risk. The state contains many threatened and endangered species and provides significant waterfowl habitat along the Pacific Flyway—critical to migrating birds. Certain water levels (and temperatures) are needed in waterways and lakes to maintain aquatic ecosystems and species viability. Current Hydrologic Status Water levels at California’s largest reservoirs are well below their historic averages for fall. The largest reservoir, Lake Shasta, is at 41% of average for this time of year. Figure 2. Five Largest Reservoirs (Oct. 16, 2014)  Source: http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/products/rescond.pdf. Water content in snow in the Sierra-Nevada Mountains was well below normal (see Figure 3) through June 2014. Such levels are important because snowpack constitutes a major part of water storage for the state. Runoff from snowpack supplies major reservoirs; however, if there is no snowpack or low water content, reservoirs that are already low from last year’s low water supply will not refill.  Regulatory Factors Complicating the hydrologic situation is a complex web of regulatory requirements on CVP and SWP operations. These requirements affect how much water is delivered from the projects. Regulatory requirements include certain releases of water from reservoirs and limits on pumping from the Bay-Delta to protect threatened and endangered species, as well as for state water quality regulations. The state system of water rights priorities and Reclamation contracts also play a role in water allocation during drought. While some are calling for modification of some regulations, others fear changes may risk irreversible harm to fish species. Furthermore, it is unclear how much water would be available if these restrictions are lifted and whether the amount would have a significant effect on alleviating the impacts of drought. Figure 3. Snow Water Content, Percent of April 1 Average Throughout Year (June 9, 2014) Northern Section  Central Section Southern Section  Source: California Data Exchange Center (http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/PLOT_SWC). Federal Response While much of drought planning and response happens locally, the federal government has historically helped farmers in times of drought. (See CRS Report RS21212.) Additionally, the Administration in November 2013 announced a National Drought Resilience Partnership to help prepare for and reduce drought impacts. However, there is no overarching federal drought policy or program.  Because of the CVP’s importance to water users and resources throughout the state, Congress also plays a role in CVP water management. Congress addressed the situation in part by including provisions to facilitate water banking, water transfers, and new storage projects in the 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 113-76). The act also extended through 2017 authorization for the Emergency Reclamation States Drought Relief Act, which provides for assistance to 17 western states and Hawaii. Other legislation under consideration (e.g., H.R. 1927, H.R. 3964, and S. 2198) could have significant effects on federal agency responses, including actions related to public safety, human health, economic productivity, and the viability of threatened and endangered species in California. Betsy A. Cody, bcody@crs.loc.gov, 7-7229.      IF00008 25% 29% 24% 22% 21% 41% 48% 35% 39% 42% 0% 50% 100%Shasta ReservoirLake OrovilleTrinity LakeNew MelonesSan Luis Reservoir % Historical Average (for rate)% Total Capacitywww.crs.gov  |  7-5700 

California Drought: Water Supply and Conveyance Issues

This report details the information related to the California drought conditions. It also gives an overview of Water Supply and Conveyance issues

 www.crs.gov  |  7-5700 May 15, 2015California Drought: Water Supply and Conveyance IssuesOverview More than 94% of the state of California is experiencing severe drought, with 67% experiencing extreme drought and 47% exceptional drought—the most severe drought classification (see Figure 1). Although winter months brought some precipitation, recent snowpack data indicate that the winter of 2015 was the driest since recordkeeping began in the 1950s. The 2014 water year ended September 30, 2014, and was the third-driest year on record in terms of precipitation. Prior to 2014, precipitation during winter and spring 2013 was the lowest on record, leaving water storage reservoirs unusually low. With California now in its fourth year of drought, water deliveries to districts receiving water from federal and state facilities have continued to be curtailed. Some areas have seen wells go dry. Following the record-low snow water content survey, California Governor Jerry Brown on April 1, 2015, mandated a 25% reduction in water use for nonagricultural users. A drought declaration made by the governor on January 17, 2014, also remains in effect. Figure 1. California Drought Conditions  Source: U.S. Drought Monitor at http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced disaster declarations for most California counties. Such federal declarations make available emergency loans designed to partially compensate for losses producers who cannot obtain commercial credit.  Meanwhile, the Bureau of Reclamation (part of the Department of the Interior) announced cutbacks to Central Valley Project (CVP) water users for 2015. The CVP supplies water to hundreds of thousands of acres throughout the state, as well as to some wildlife refuges and municipal and industrial (M&I) water users. The State Water Project (SWP) announced a slight increase in water deliveries for 2015 over 2014, but deliveries remain very low. The SWP primarily provides water to M&I users and some agricultural users. Major CVP and SWP pumps that supply water for Central and Southern California are located at the southern portion of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers’ Delta confluence with the San Francisco Bay (Bay-Delta). Approximately 22 million people receive water from the Bay-Delta annually. What’s at Stake? The widespread nature of drought conditions, coupled with low water supplies in the state’s major reservoirs and regulatory restrictions on CVP and SWP operations to protect water quality, fish, and wildlife, have affected many sectors and areas. Many cities and counties have instituted water rationing, species populations have declined, and a mandatory 25% cutback in nonagricultural water use has been put in place. Controversy has ensued over limiting the cutback to nonagricultural users; however, the governor has noted that water supplies already have been curtailed for some of the largest agricultural users. For example, for 2015 the projected water deliveries for CVP junior water rights contractors have been cut by 100% (i.e., they will receive no water from the CVP unless conditions improve). Senior water rights contractors have had their CVP supplies reduced by 25%. Similar reductions have occurred for SWP supplies. Some contractors have pumped groundwater or purchased water through water transfers or other means to offset reductions. Although a much smaller percentage of the California economy than historically, California agriculture is still the nation’s largest producer in terms of cash farm receipts—accounting for 11% (nearly $45 billion) of the U.S. total in 2012, the last year for which data are available (see http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/statistics/). The drought has affected crop and rangeland conditions and required livestock producers to use supplemental hay and grain. Hundreds of thousands of acres have been fallowed because sufficient water was not available. However, fruit and nut orchards continue to need irrigation during drought or the trees will die. The effects of drought on California agriculture could have ramifications beyond the state, with reduced supplies and higher product prices for some Congress funds and oversees the Central Valley Project, which in a normal water year delivers, on average, approximately 7 million acre-feet of water annually. CVP 2015 water deliveries are severely curtailed due to drought and other factors. California Drought: Water Supply and Conveyance Issues  www.crs.gov  |  7-5700  commodities—particularly those for which California is the primary producer (e.g., almonds). For example, California produces 65% of the nation’s non-citrus fruit and nuts. However, where substitutions exist for some crops, prices may not be affected immediately. Availability of other water supplies (e.g., groundwater or transferred surface water) may help some users adjust to dry conditions, but with most of the state categorized as a drought disaster area it is not certain that other supplies will remain available. Some areas already are experiencing low groundwater levels and subsidence due to increased groundwater pumping. Further, depending on the duration of the drought, groundwater supplies may be limited or become too expensive. California recently enacted a statewide groundwater law that will increase groundwater planning and monitoring; however, implementation will take many years. In-state hydropower production, recreation, air quality, and fish and wildlife also may be affected. California hosts many recreational reservoirs, river-rafting opportunities, and recreational and commercial fisheries potentially at risk, as well as many threatened and endangered species. It also provides significant habitat along the Pacific Flyway that is critical to migrating birds. Certain water levels (and temperatures) are needed in waterways and lakes to maintain aquatic ecosystems and species viability. Some salmon runs have experienced a 95% loss of eggs laid, and recent surveys of Delta Smelt found fewer than five fish. Current Hydrologic Status Water levels at California’s largest reservoirs are well below their historic averages for May. Figure 2. Water Levels at Five Largest Reservoirs (May 14, 2015)  Source: CRS with data from http://cdec.water.ca.gov/reservoir.html. (See Major Reservoirs Daily Graphs–Interactive Water Supply). Additionally, as of May 15, 2015, water content in snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is just 2% of average. (See Figure 3.) Snowpack is a major part of water storage for the state. Runoff from snowpack supplies reservoirs; if there is no snowpack or it has low water content, reservoirs already low from previous years will not refill. Regulatory Factors Complicating the hydrologic situation is a complex web of federal and state regulatory requirements on CVP and SWP operations. These requirements affect how much water is delivered from the projects. Such requirements include releases of water from reservoirs and limits on pumping from the Bay-Delta to protect threatened and endangered species, as well as water quality. State water rights priorities and Bureau of Reclamation contracts also affect water allocation. Some water users have called for modifying regulations; other stakeholders, including some fishermen and environmental groups, believe such changes may risk irreversible harm to species. Due to overlapping state and federal restrictions, it is unclear how much water would be available absent such restrictions. Reclamation estimates that restrictions stemming from the Endangered Species Act (P.L. 93-205) accounted for approximately 2% of total CVP water reductions in 2014; however, such figures are not readily available for regulatory restrictions. Figure 3. Northern California Snow Water Content (May 13, 2015)  Source: California Data Exchange Center (http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/PLOT_SWC). Federal Response Although much drought planning and response happens locally, the federal government historically has helped farmers in times of drought. (See CRS Report RS21212, Agricultural Disaster Assistance.) Additionally, the Administration in November 2013 announced a National Drought Resilience Partnership to help prepare for and reduce drought impacts. However, there is no overarching federal drought policy or program.  Congress plays a role in CVP water management and has addressed the drought by facilitating water banking, water transfers, and new storage. Congress also extended authorization for the Emergency Reclamation States Drought Relief Act. Other legislation considered but not enacted in the 113th Congress (e.g., H.R. 3964, H.R. 5781, and S. 2198) would have addressed SWP and CVP drought operations. Betsy A. Cody, bcody@crs.loc.gov, 7-7229  IF10133 

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California Drought: Water Supply and Conveyance Issues

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