The Bureau of Reclamation announced that water allocation for South-of-Delta Central Valley Project (CVP) agricultural water service contractors has been increased from 35 percent to 55 percent, and 80 percent allocations for municipal and industrial contractors.

North of the Delta, in-Delta and American River contractors’ allocations, for agricultural water service and municipal and industrial service contractors were increased to 100 percent,

The increase was meant to be an improvement for the farmers and farmworkers in the Westlands Water District, but because of the abundant rainfall this year and with the snowpack at 158 percent and reservoir levels above average, the allocation is seen as a disappointment.

In addition, currently 0 percent of the state is in an official drought—an improvement when compared to 90 days ago when 80 percent of the state was in an official drought.

Friant Division’s allocation remains unchanged with Class 1 contractors at 100 percent.

“The precipitation we’ve experienced since mid-February has provided a significant boost to the projected water supply for the Central Valley Project this year,” said Ernest Conant, Mid-Pacific regional director. “With the improved CVP storage conditions and the latest runoff forecasts, we are pleased to increase the amount of water allocated to many of our water service contractors.”

Currently, Lake Shasta is at 85 percent capacity and 111 percent of its historical average. San Luis Reservoir is at 99 percent capacity and 113 percent of its historical average.