California Water Balance Water Reserved for the Environment

California Water Balance

Water Reserved for the Environment

Hydroelectric Power Generation • Hydropower facilities represent about 25% of California’s electrical power generation capacity • On average, in-state hydropower provides about 15% of California’s electricity

Water Supply Infrastructure • Reflecting the disparity in location of water needs and available runoff, extensive system of federal, state, and local water projects has been constructed to move water to where it is needed

Federal Central Valley Project • Largest single water project in California • Operated by U. S. Bureau of Reclamation • 18 federal reservoirs plus 4 state-federal reservoirs, 12 MAF total storage capacity • Largest generator of electrical power in California

Sample CVP Facilities

The State Water Project • California’s 2 nd-largest water project • Operated by DWR • 20 reservoirs, 660 miles of aqueduct, 26 power & pumping plants • 4 th-largest generator of electrical power in California

Sample SWP Facilities

Local Agency Water Projects • Include wide variety of canals, reservoirs, groundwater storage projects • Also include water recycling projects and a small desalination projects

Sample Local Agency Facilities

Flood Control Infrastructure • Federal, state, and some local agencies have constructed largescale flood control projects • Major Central Valley Flood Control Project features include dedicated storage in numerous reservoirs, and 1, 600 miles of project levees

Water Management Framework • Major federal agencies – USBR and USACE (provide water supply & flood control), USEPA (regulates water quality) • Major state agencies – DWR (provides water supply & flood control), SWRCB (regulates water quality & water rights) • Local agencies – provide water supply, flood control, water treatment, wastewater treatment

Key DWR Responsibilities • Operate State Water Project (provides ~ 3 MAF annually) • Operate & maintain flood control facilities • Administer state dam safety program (about 1200 regulated dams) • Plan for California’s future water supply needs

Estimated Future Water Needs Net changes statewide in average-year water demand for baseline scenarios by sector, 2000– 2030

Key SWRCB Responsibilities • Administer water rights permitting program • Administer water quality planning program • Through Regional Boards, administer water quality permitting program to assure conformance with water quality plans