The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has granted only 5% of requested water allocations to agencies across the state amid concerns that a hot summer and dry winter could lead to another drought.
The past two winters have brought abundant rain and snow to the state. resulting In 2023, 100% allocation will re-emerge historic Tulare Lake in the heart of the Central Valley. However, predictions for a summer heat wave and a dry La Niña atmosphere in the winter suggest that rainfall could decline in the coming months and droughts could return.
DWR stated: statement Monday:
Today, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced initial allocation projections for State Water Projects (SWPs) of 5 percent of required supply in 2025. SWP supplies water to 29 public water utilities serving 27 million Californians.
The initial water supply forecast for December is the first allocation of the new water year and is based on conservative assumptions about current reservoir storage and future precipitation. For comparison, last year the initial allocation for the 2024 water year was 10 percent of the requested supply, which eventually increased to 40 percent by the end of the season.
The original allocation forecast released today does not take into account the series of strong storms that brought above-average precipitation across Northern California during the last two weeks of November. These storms will be considered along with other variables in future allocation updates. Before these storms, the beginning of the water year was dry and warm.
Critics of California's water management policies say the state's periodic droughts are “man-made” and that water storage and desalination has been enhanced, rather than draining fresh water into the ocean to preserve water. They argue that it is possible to avoid water shortages by prioritizing water use for farms and households. Reduce river depth and protect endangered fish species.
Joel B. Pollack is a senior editor at Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday Sunday nights from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT) on Sirius XM Patriot. he is the author of Agenda: What should President Trump do in his first 100 days?available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of Trumpian Virtues: Lessons and Legacy of the Donald Trump Presidencynow available on Audible. He is the recipient of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter @joelpolak.
