SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has raised its 2025 State Water Project (SWP) allocation forecast to 35% of requested supplies, up from 20% in January. This increase follows significant storms that bolstered precipitation, snowpack, and reservoir storage. The SWP serves 27 million Californians and irrigates 750,000 acres of farmland, providing vital water to areas including the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California.
Flood control releases from Lake Oroville added 300,000 acre-feet of storage, pushing the reservoir to 84% capacity. Additionally, 16,000 acre-feet of water were diverted to San Luis Reservoir, now at 81% capacity. The increase was aided by “storm flex” provisions, enhancing water capture during key storm events.…