Millions in California to Get More Water
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Millions of Californians will receive more water this year as the state increases allocations from its primary water distribution system following a robust winter runoff. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that the State Water Project (SWP) allocation for 2025 has risen to 50 percent of requested supplies—up from 40 percent last month—thanks to strong snowmelt replenishing key reservoirs.
Why It Matters
The updated allocation comes as snowpack runoff accelerates with warming spring temperatures, bolstering storage in reservoirs critical to urban and agricultural water supplies across the state.
The SWP serves 27 million people and irrigates 750,000 acres of farmland. With many of the state's reservoirs surpassing average levels for this time of year, state officials are emphasizing the opportunity and the ongoing need for flexible, resilient water infrastructure.
What to Know
California's snowpack peaked at 100 percent of seasonal average on April 4 and is now melting into watersheds. Lake Oroville—the SWP's largest reservoir—is currently at 120 percent of average and 95 percent full, with DWR expecting it could reach full capacity for the third consecutive year later this spring.
If Oroville hits full capacity this year, it will be the first time in the lake's history that capacity has been reached three years in a row.
Lake Oroville is seen filled with water in Oroville, California, on April 16, 2023. Lake Oroville is the largest reservoir in the State Water Project.
Lake Oroville is seen filled with water in Oroville, California, on April 16, 2023. Lake Oroville is the largest reservoir in the State Water Project.
Josh Edelson/Getty
Meanwhile, San Luis Reservoir, serving Southern California, is at 101 percent of average and 83 percent full.
"San Luis Reservoir likely reached its peak storage on April 7 at 90 percent of capacity," a DWR spokesperson told Newsweek.
State Water Project allocations are updated monthly and rely on snowpack, rainfall and runoff assessments, a DWR spokesperson told Newsweek. Last month, the DWR increased allocations to 40 percent, a 10 percent jump over the previous allocation.
In 2023, the SWP allocations were 100 percent after an abnormally wet winter season benefitted reservoirs and helped remedy much of California's drought. However, final allocations last year were only at 40 percent.
The final allocation for this year will be announced in May or June.
What People Are Saying
A DWR spokesperson told Newsweek: "Any additional increases in the 2025 State Water Project allocation will depend on the water content and runoff of the Sierra Nevada snowpack."
DWR Director Karla Nemeth said in a press release: "This winter, water managers were able to navigate extreme swings between wet and dry conditions thanks in part to new operating permits that allow increased flexibility in operations to move water into storage while protecting endangered species. Our full reservoirs will allow us to help meet the needs of the State Water Project contractors and their customers this year as well as provide some water supply next year in the event that dry conditions return."
What Happens Next
Despite the increased allocation, DWR stressed the need for future-proofing water supplies. Officials highlighted that had the Delta Conveyance Project and proposed Sites Reservoir been in place this season, California could have captured an additional 867,000 acre-feet of water—equivalent to a 20 percent higher allocation this year.
DWR continues to assess seasonal conditions and will provide further updates as conditions evolve.
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