DROUGHT PROTECTION pROGRAM
A Plan for Critically Dry Years:
The Drought Protection Program is a water reduction and infrastructure improvement agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation that implements a voluntary water conservation and water acquisition program over the next two decades.
The program allows the Bureau of Reclamation to reduce water provided to participating Settlement Contractors and operate higher carry-over storage at Shasta Lake as part of overall operations of the Central Valley Project, including temperature management in the Sacramento River for the Winter-run Chinook Salmon and increased water supply reliability.
Why is the Drought Protection Program Needed?
Unpredictable water years can lead to decisions by state and federal agencies and courts that can result in reductions to water supply that have devastating effects on the Sacramento Valley.
The program is needed to avoid repeating the impacts of 2022 when the Settlement Contractors received an 18% water supply from US Bureau of Reclamation. This resulted in 370,000 acres of farmland fallowed in the Sacramento Valley and little water for communities, fish and wildlife.
How does the Drought Protection Program Work?
During the first ten-year period, the Settlement Contractors will reduce contract supply by up to 500,000 acre-feet during years the hydrologic conditions triggers are met. During the second ten-year period, up to 100,000 acre-feet would be held during years when the hydrologic conditions triggers are met.
DPP water supply reductions are only implemented when ALL of the following occurs:
Forecasted end-of-April Shasta Lake storage is less than 3.0 million acre-feet;
Forecasted end-of-September, for the current year, Shasta Lake storage is less than 2.0 million acre-feet;
Combined actual and forecasted natural inflow to Shasta Lake from October 1, of the prior year, through April 30, for the current year, is less than 2.5 million acre-feet; and
US Bureau of Reclamation forecasts a Critical Year under the Settlement Contracts.
Compensation for Agreement:
The US Bureau of Reclamation provided $250 million to fund the program. More than half of the funds will be spent on drought resiliency projects.
Please consult your district’s/company’s general manager for individual questions on the program and related questions on funding, taxes and crop insurance.