Three Major Takeaways:
1. Water Allocation Hanging by a Thread - The 55% CVP allocation is barely holding with an extremely thin margin for error. Project water at San Luis Reservoir is projected to hit just 50,000 acre-feet by end of August, leaving only an 11,000 acre-foot buffer above dead pool, meaning virtually no room for additional water quality constraints or pumping interruptions through September.
2. Delta Water Quality Causing Immediate Pumping Cuts - Recent high tides and lingering low tides forced pumping operations to drop to just two pumps temporarily due to Jersey Point agricultural water quality requirements. The authority is back to five pumps but cumulative pumping remains below forecasted levels, directly threatening the ability to deliver the promised 55% allocation.
3. Federal Leadership Engagement Provides Hope - Secretary of Interior made an unprecedented visit to the pumping plants and met directly with valley water stakeholders, showing genuine engagement in California water issues and receiving the authority's consensus memo on priority projects, potentially opening doors for federal support on critical infrastructure.
Additional Key Takeaways:
Friant Division Class 1 allocation remains at 100% after successful coordination with Southern California Edison to release additional water and rescheduling efforts with contractors.
Restoration program recapture water (12,000+ acre-feet from March/April) will be released to Class 2 contractors next week following final quality control review.
No fall X2 salinity requirement will be triggered this year, providing some operational relief compared to previous years.
San Luis Delta-Mendota Authority is moving forward with $30 million Phase 1 capacity project but requires $60 million cost allocation resolution among contractors.
State Water Resources Control Board released draft Bay-Delta water quality control plan (voluntary agreements) today with 45-day comment period.
Congressional staff tour of Central Valley Project facilities planned for September in coordination with Representative Valadao's office.
Clear Creek system repairs from Trinity River diversions expected to be completed in September and March, restoring full operational flexibility.
Safety incident occurred requiring additional training protocols and monthly safety meetings across all maintenance operations.
Board Actions:
Next Steps & Engagement: The next board meeting date was not specified in the transcript. For questions or comments, contact the Friant Water Authority at their main office at 854 N. Harvard Ave., Lindsay, CA 93247, or visit Friantwater.org. Given the critical water supply situation, growers should stay closely engaged with allocation updates and operational constraints that could impact deliveries through the remainder of the irrigation season.
