Water Allocation Welcome, Allocation Timing Challenging

The California Farm Bureau reports that farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta are welcoming a 35% water allocation from the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) but say the timing limits its impact. Announced in late February, the allocation comes after many farmers had already made planting decisions, with some citing challenges in adjusting plans so late.

Stanislaus County farmer Daniel Bays, who grows tree and row crops in Westley, said he was already making planting decisions and preparing ground in the fall. “To wait until March 1 to decide whether or not you’re going to farm is a little late,” he said. “It could get wet for the rest of March, and you’re unable to get out and prep the fields to plant.”

In a statement, Reclamation, which manages the CVP, noted the allocation is more than double the initial allocation in 2024, a year with similar hydrology. In addition, the bureau announced a 100% allocation for north-of-delta agricultural water contractors. Bays said the 35% water allotment will not change his planting plans much.

“With the current condition of the ag economy,” he says, “a lot of it just depends on what we can get contracts for.”

Water allocations are updated throughout the season with a final allocation generally determined in May or June.