Latest news with #KarlaNemeth
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
California Reservoir Update as Lake Nears New Milestone
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. Lake Oroville is only one foot shy of reaching its capacity of 900 feet and marking the first time in its history of doing so for three consecutive years. A spokesperson for the Department of Water Resources (DWR) told Newsweek that "no major rain is forecasted but snowmelt driven runoff will continue through June and somewhat in July as forecasted." Why It Matters In summer 2022, many reservoirs across California reached concerningly low levels after years of drought, including Lake Oroville. However, since the winter of 2022-23, the lake's water levels have significantly recovered. Above-average snowfall in the winters of 2023 and 2024 helped the reservoir recover. Although less snow fell this year, the lake is expected to reach its capacity this spring as snow melts, signaling positive news for California. What To Know As of Thursday, documented Lake Oroville's water level at 899 feet, one foot from full capacity. A boat navigates the waters of Lake Oroville on June 15, 2023, in Oroville, California. A boat navigates the waters of Lake Oroville on June 15, 2023, in Oroville, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty When compared to 2023 and 2024, Lake Oroville's current water levels are the highest they've been for this time of year. On May 22, 2024, its levels were 898.83 feet, according to Lakes Online, and on the same date in 2023, they were at 891.25 feet. During the past two years, the lake's water levels continued rising into the first half of June. California DWR data shows Lake Oroville at 99 percent capacity, which is 122 percent of its historical average for this time of year. Lake Shasta, California's largest reservoir, also is in good shape. At 94 percent capacity, it sits at 112 percent of its historical average for this time of year. However, drought is still widespread across California. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map, released on Thursday, shows that nearly 60 percent of the Golden State is considered abnormally dry. Almost 40 percent of the state is experiencing moderate drought, with nearly a quarter of it facing more severe drought, mostly focused in Southern California. The drought is unlikely to improve much in the summer, as the state is entering its dry period. What People Are Saying A DWR spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "Lake Oroville is likely to reach full capacity this year. This will be the first time the reservoir has reached full capacity three years in a row." DWR Director Karla Nemeth said in a press release: "It's great news that our state's snowpack has recovered from several weeks of extremely dry conditions in the heart of our winter storm season. However, it's not a wet year across the entire Sierra Nevada. The north has great snowpack, but snowpack is less than average in the central and southern part of the mountain range. That snowpack ultimately flows to the Delta, and the regional disparity affects how much water the State Water Project will be able to deliver." What Happens Next Lake Oroville will likely continue rising into June, as evidenced by past years. Typically, lake levels will begin falling in mid-June and continue falling into November, when they begin to rise again.
Newsweek
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
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.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
State will deliver more water to Southern California this year via State Water Project
Southern California cities can expect to receive 50% of their full water allotments this year from the aqueducts of the State Water Project, up from 40% last month, as runoff from this year's ample snowpack continues to fill reservoirs in Northern California. '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,' Karla Nemeth, director of the state Department of Water Resources, said in a statement Tuesday. The State Water Project's aqueducts and pipelines transport water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to cities and other agencies for 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland. Lake Oroville, the largest reservoir that feeds the State Water Project, is now 95% full and is expected to continue rising as snowmelt runs off the Sierra Nevada. The state Department of Water Resources said the reservoir could reach full capacity this spring for a third straight year. The state's snowpack in the Sierra reached exactly 100% of average for the season April 4, the department said. The average winter and spring followed an extremely wet and snowy 2023 and a wet 2024. The last time California had three consecutive years of average or above-average snow was from 1998 to 2000, according to state water officials. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which delivers supplies from the State Water Project and the Colorado River to cities and other agencies, this year has a record amount of water banked in reservoirs and underground storage areas. The increase in the state's water allocation followed a similar announcement Monday by the Trump administration, which manages supplies from the federal Central Valley Project. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation increased the water allocation for agricultural water agencies south of the Delta to 50% of their full allotments, up from 40% a month ago. Read more: State Water Project supplies could fall up to 23% within 20 years due to climate change Managers of water agencies said that the increased supplies are welcome news, but that the still-limited allocations indicate what they view as constraints that should be addressed. Jennifer Pierre, general manager of the State Water Contractors, said she and others 'remain convinced that California needs more operational flexibility to make the most of the storms' when they come. 'Delta exports have been running at less than half capacity while the State Water Contractors continue to pay for 100% of the system's operation and maintenance,' Pierre said. 'This mismatch in hydrology and supplies requires immediate attention and science-based action to retain environmental protections while also increasing stored supplies when reservoirs are spilling.' Environmental advocates said they are concerned about the increase in pumping. Pumping operations to supply water 'continue to have severe impacts to native fish species, and this year is no exception,' said Ashley Overhouse, water policy advisor for the group Defenders of Wildlife. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Los Angeles Times
State will deliver more water to Southern California this year via State Water Project
Southern California cities can expect to receive 50% of their full water allotments this year from the aqueducts of the State Water Project, up from 40% last month, as runoff from this year's ample snowpack continues to fill reservoirs in Northern California. '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,' Karla Nemeth, director of the state Department of Water Resources, said in a statement Tuesday. The State Water Project's aqueducts and pipelines transport water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to cities and other agencies for 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland. Lake Oroville, the largest reservoir that feeds the State Water Project, is now 95% full and is expected to continue rising as snowmelt runs off the Sierra Nevada. The state Department of Water Resources said the reservoir could reach full capacity this spring for a third straight year. The state's snowpack in the Sierra reached exactly 100% of average for the season April 4, the department said. The average winter and spring followed an extremely wet and snowy 2023 and a wet 2024. The last time California had three consecutive years of average or above-average snow was from 1998 to 2000, according to state water officials. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which delivers supplies from the State Water Project and the Colorado River to cities and other agencies, this year has a record amount of water banked in reservoirs and underground storage areas. The increase in the state's water allocation followed a similar announcement Monday by the Trump administration, which manages supplies from the federal Central Valley Project. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation increased the water allocation for agricultural water agencies south of the Delta to 50% of their full allotments, up from 40% a month ago. Managers of water agencies said that the increased supplies are welcome news, but that the still-limited allocations indicate what they view as constraints that should be addressed. Jennifer Pierre, general manager of the State Water Contractors, said she and others 'remain convinced that California needs more operational flexibility to make the most of the storms' when they come. 'Delta exports have been running at less than half capacity while the State Water Contractors continue to pay for 100% of the system's operation and maintenance,' Pierre said. 'This mismatch in hydrology and supplies requires immediate attention and science-based action to retain environmental protections while also increasing stored supplies when reservoirs are spilling.' Environmental advocates said they are concerned about the increase in pumping. Pumping operations to supply water 'continue to have severe impacts to native fish species, and this year is no exception,' said Ashley Overhouse, water policy advisor for the group Defenders of Wildlife.
Epoch Times
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Epoch Times
California Increases Water Supplies to Farms, Residents
California will allow more water to flow to farms and residents as more snowpack melts into the state's watersheds, the state announced April 29. Last month, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) filled 40 percent of what local jurisdictions and farmers requested. This month, that was raised to 50 percent. '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,' said DWR Director Karla Nemeth in a According to Nemeth, the state's full reservoirs allow the state to help meet the needs of local jurisdictions and their customers this year, and the water will provide some additional supply for next year if dry conditions return. The state water project provides water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland. California's snowpack peaked on April 4 at 100 percent for the season, the DWR reported. Related Stories 4/26/2025 3/3/2025 Temperatures across the state have warmed up and started melting the snow, allowing it to flow into the state's watersheds and fill reservoirs. Lake Oroville, the water project's largest reservoir, reached 120 percent of average on April 29 and was 95 percent full, according to DWR. The department anticipates that Lake Oroville could reach full capacity this spring, which would mark the third-straight year the reservoir has filled. San Luis Reservoir in Merced County, a critical storage space for Southern California, has reached 101 percent of average and is 83 percent full. Earlier this month, the state's water project reduced pumping into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to minimum levels to protect endangered fish. 'These reductions are required as part of the operating permit for the State Water Project,' the department said April 29. Operators will likely maintain that lower rate through the end of May unless San Joaquin or Sacramento River flows increase, DWR reported. According to DWR, California needs to invest in more water supply infrastructure. The proposed The Delta Conveyance Project could have captured more than 867,000 acre-feet of additional water this winter, which would have allowed an extra 20 percent increase in State Water Project allocations, on top of the latest 10 percent increase, DWR said.
