The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation mentioned water storage is close to historic lows within the reservoirs it operates within the state, which serve the Central Valley breadbasket in addition to the cities of Sacramento and San Francisco.
Shasta Reservoir, the state’s largest and the capstone of the federal Central Valley Project, is at present at 31% capability, the company mentioned.
While the wet season, which typically begins in October and continues via March or April, might but deliver extra precipitation, it might be prudent for cities and industrial customers to prepare for the likelihood that much less water can be out there than the company had contracted to present them.
“If drought conditions extend into 2023, Reclamation will find it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to meet all the competing needs of the Central Valley Project without beginning the implementation of additional and more severe water conservation actions,” the company mentioned.
Initial water provide allocations for its prospects could be introduced in February, the company mentioned.
(Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by David Gregorio)
By Sharon Bernstein