Millions in California to Get More Water
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Millions of Americans Urged to Avoid the Sun in 16 States
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. The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued heat-related alerts for at least 16 states as of Wednesday morning, with the agency cautioning residents in many affected areas to keep out of the sun and forecasting "dangerously hot conditions" in parts of the United States. Why It Matters According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), extreme heat can trigger heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations such as older adults, young children, and those with certain medical conditions. The agency notes that extreme heat contributes to more than 700 deaths annually across the U.S. Rising temperatures can also worsen ground-level ozone pollution, potentially compounding existing health risks. What To Know Extreme heat warnings, which the NWS issues when "extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring," were in place for southern Nevada, southeast California, parts of Arizona, including Phoenix and the Grand Canyon, and a portion of southern Utah. In Death Valley, often dubbed the hottest place on Earth, the NWS said that temperatures between 118 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit would be possible, while Lake Havasu City in Arizona could see temperatures between 112 and 116. "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," many of the alerts advised. Less severe heat advisories had also been issued for several states, including: Oregon Texas Louisiana Arkansas Mississippi Florida Georgia South Carolina New York Vermont New Hampshire Maine Heat index values, which reflect how hot it feels when humidity and temperature are considered, were expected to reach the 90s and 100s across many of these areas, the NWS said. What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Chad Merrill told Newsweek that the heat across the U.S. this week would be on the move "thanks to an active jet stream pattern." "For Friday and especially Saturday, much hotter weather will move into the Midwest. Heat advisories could be posted for places like Des Moines, Iowa, Saint Louis and perhaps Chicago." "While the heat moves east across the country through the late week, temperatures will drop to near to five degrees below average for much of the West." The NWS office in Phoenix said Tuesday on X: "Afternoon temperatures climbed upwards of 5-7 degrees above normal today as highs topped out around 112-114° for Phoenix, Yuma, and El Centro. Extreme Heat Warnings remain in effect through Wednesday evening." What Happens Next The latest extreme heat warning—for the lower elevations of the Grand Canyon—was in force until 8 p.m. MST Thursday at the time of writing. The NWS issues regular forecast updates on its website.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
More Than One Million People Warned of 'Significant Hazard' While Driving
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. More than 1 million people in southern Arizona were asked to pull over on Wednesday should they encounter a sudden dust storm, which can become a "significant hazard" and drop the visibility to near zero. Why It Matters Blowing dust events reduced roadway visibility rapidly, increasing the risk of multi-vehicle crashes and rollovers on intercity highways and rural roads. The advisories named Interstate 10 corridors—specifically through the San Simon Valley and the stretch between Tucson and Phoenix—as areas of elevated hazard. The combination of strong gusty winds and suspended dust also posed health risks to people with heart disease and respiratory conditions, as the advisories noted that dust would be inhaled by nearby people and animals. A stock image shows a sandstorm in Arizona. A stock image shows a sandstorm in Arizona. digital94086/Getty What To Know The advisories covered the Tucson metro area and multiple valleys and counties in southern Arizona and urged those with respiratory sensitivities to limit outdoor exertion, as inhaling the dust could exacerbate respiratory conditions. Officials cautioned that organized thunderstorm outflows could produce haboob-like conditions, creating sudden drops in visibility that posed a "significant hazard to motorists." The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Tucson issued blowing dust advisories for large portions of southern Arizona on Wednesday, warning that strong thunderstorm outflows could produce gusts of 40-45 mph, reduce visibility to between one-quarter and one mile and create hazardous driving conditions through the afternoon and evening. Drivers facing blowing dust were instructed to "pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park," and to "turn the lights all the way off and keep foot off the brake pedal." The advisory was put in place for western Pima County, the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Tucson metro area, the Upper Santa Cruz and San Pedro valleys, eastern Cochise County below 5,000 feet and parts of Pinal and Graham counties under a blowing dust advisory from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. MST on Wednesday. The NWS Phoenix office issued a blowing dust advisory for northwest Pinal County from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. MST the same day and retained an Extreme Heat Warning until 8 p.m. MST. In addition to posing hazards to motorists, some health conditions could be worsened by the dust storm. Persons with respiratory problems were advised to remain indoors until the storm passed. The advisories recommended reducing outdoor exertion for people with heart or respiratory disease. People should also keep windows and doors closed. Strong storms also brought dust to parts of Cochise County on Tuesday night, according to a post on X by NWS Tucson. What People Are Saying NWS meteorologist Kevin Strongman told Newsweek: "If you're encountering a dust storm, it's best to pull aside, turn your engine off, lights off, foot off the brake. That's the best way to stay safe in a dust storm if it comes today." NWS Tucson in a blowing dust advisory: "Persons with respiratory problems should make preparations to stay indoors until the storm passes. Be ready for a sudden drop in visibility to near zero. If you encounter blowing dust or blowing sand on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible and put your vehicle in park. Turn the lights all the way off and keep foot off the brake pedal. Remember, 'Pull Aside, Stay Alive.'" What Happens Next Authorities anticipated that outflow-driven blowing dust would move westward across southeast Arizona during the afternoon, then affect central Pima and southeast Pinal counties in the late afternoon and evening. Motorists in the impacted areas were urged to remain alert and follow local weather guidance. Strongman said a wet weather pattern will arrive later this week, and incoming rain will reduce the dust risk.
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tropical Storm Erin Update as Path Shifts South
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. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that Tropical Storm Erin could move, causing impacts to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Island and the northern Leeward Island over the weekend, though the agency said the magnitude of any potential impacts was unclear. Why It Matters Meteorologists have indicated that Erin has the potential to become the first major hurricane of the 2025 season. Eris is the fifth named system of the Atlantic season so far, following Andrea, Barry, Chantal, and Dexter. Chantal brought heavy rain and flooding to North Carolina in early July. None of the previous named storms developed into hurricanes. What To Know In a video update posted to social media on Tuesday, NHC warning coordination meteorologist Robbie Berg said that Erin was located over the eastern Atlantic and was expected to move west and strengthen into a hurricane, potentially moving to the north of the Leeward Islands. "The track forecast has shifted a bit to the south. That does potentially increase the risks to the islands as we head into the weekend," Berg said. "We now have about a 25 to 30 percent chance of tropical storm-force winds on some of those islands. So now is the time to start thinking about getting some supplies ready just in case the storm is to move a little bit closer." NHC said there was "even greater uncertainty" regarding any potential impacts to the Bahamas and the east coast of the U.S. In its most recent public advisory for Tropical Storm Erin, NHC said the system was moving west at around 20 miles per hour, with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph. The agency said Erin was "likely" to become a hurricane by late Thursday or early Friday. An NHC graphic showing the expected path of Tropical Storm Erin. An NHC graphic showing the expected path of Tropical Storm Erin. National Hurricane Center What People Are Saying Meteorologist Brooks Garner said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday: "Tropical Storm Erin continues to battle Saharan Dust slowing its development. It's now expected to become a hurricane a day or two later than initially forecast, but it's still expected to become a 'Major' Cat 3. Models persist it will curve out to sea next week." ABC7 New York meteorologist Brittany Bell said on X, Wednesday: "Here's the latest track for Tropical Storm Erin. The latest trends continue to show it curving north in the Atlantic, but it will bring rough surf and rip currents next week along our coastline." What Happens Next The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, while the eastern Pacific hurricane season began on May 15 and lasts until November 30. NHC says that August and September are typically the busiest months of the Atlantic season.
