SGVMWD Operations and Local Water Delivery Update - State Water Project Allocation Reduced to 5%

As reported in the February e-Pipeline newsletter, in January 2022, the California Department of Water Resources increased allocations of imported water from zero to 15% of planned allocations to State Water Contractors such as SGVMWD. That welcome news was somewhat reversed in March as the State reduced the allocation back to only 5% due to declining water supply conditions following the driest three-month period in our history in January, February and March, a change described as “climate whiplash” by the State Water Contractors. A 5% allocation means the District will be able to deliver 1,440 AF of water from the SWP to underground storage in the Main San Gabriel Basin. 

In March, the District’s Devil Canyon-Azusa Pipeline continued to flow at capacity, delivering 3,206 acre-feet (AF) of water on behalf of Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (Upper District) and Three Valleys Municipal Water District (TVMWD). Of the total, 2,105 AF were delivered to the San Gabriel Canyon Spreading Grounds and adjacent canal on behalf of USGVMWD, and 1,101 AF were delivered to Covina Irrigating Company on behalf of TVMWD.

The District’s planned or full allocation is 28,800 acre-feet. About 80 percent of the Valley’s water supply is furnished by local groundwater, and the Valley imports about 20 percent of the water we use from northern California and the Colorado River. A 60 percent allocation is needed to meet the demand of our member cities for replacement water. Thus, in years where the allocation dips below that amount, we see the important role that water storage plays.

Summary - As shown in the graphics above, water supply conditions declined in March compared to February. Drought conditions are worsening, and groundwater, rainfall, and statewide snow pack and reservoirs, each remain well below desired levels long-term. A good example of our water supply challenge is that California’s snowpack, a key source of water via spring and summer runoff, is now at 39% of its average, or 23% lower than at the same time last year. Another example is that during extended droughts, soft soils can become so dry that they soak up all new water while hard soils actually repel water, further reducing runoff to streams and reservoirs.

The District’s board took action to address water supply and drought conditions at its December meeting by unanimously passing a resolution, a key premise of which is, “Further, be it resolved, because the current drought is worsening, drought is “normal” and will recur, and California has not yet mandated water use restrictions, the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District calls upon all residents, businesses and government entities to commit to work together to implement water management best practices and to achieve the highest levels of voluntary water conservation.” To read the entire resolution, please click here.

Many experts compare current conditions to the serious drought of 1976-1977, however, climate change and increasingly warmer temperatures (two degrees hotter, on average, now than 50 years ago) have evaporated precipitation and melted snow pack much faster than in prior years, resulting in less melting snow feeding rivers and reservoirs, and soil moisture drying out before soaking down into the ground. 

Computer models show that in the future, dry years will be drier, and wet years will be wetter. This type of feast or famine winter with big storms and long, severe dry periods is expected to increase as climate change continues. As a result, we’ll need multiple above-average rain and snow years to make up the difference rather than consecutive large events in a single year. As the graph below illustrates, drought is common and “normal” in the San Gabriel Valley. Conservation works and should be a “way of life.”  

Local Groundwater – in the Main San Gabriel Basin, the “Baldwin Park Key Well” is the indicator of local groundwater levels (see graph – blue line includes cyclic storage; black line does not). As of April 1, 2022, the level is 181.3 feet above mean sea level, reduced from a level of 181.7 feet one month ago. The Basin has experienced a fairly steady decline in groundwater levels from a high of 212.5 feet above mean sea level in December 2019. The present level is still an improvement from the historic low of 169.4 as recently as November 21, 2018. Watermaster’s operating guidelines for replacement water or “safe yield” is between 200 and 250 feet above mean sea level. Main San Gabriel Basin groundwater supplies, which account for nearly 80% of the water we use, remain below desired levels and remain in need of ongoing smart management, replenishment and conservation.

Imported Water – in March 2022, the California Department of Water Resources reduced its allocation of imported water to State Water Contractors such as SGVMWD from zero to 5% (from 15%) due to the record-setting dry conditions from January through March of this year. Imported water is used to supplement local groundwater supplies in the Main San Gabriel Basin. Here is a look at imported water allocations over time:

Local Rainfall – the Los Angeles Almanac reports annual rainfall levels from July 1 of each year to June 30 of each year. At the Santa Fe Dam weather station, as of April 1, rainfall year-to-date is 12.75 inches, more than ALL of the prior year’s total of 6.49 inches, but representing only 73% of normal annual precipitation. 

Statewide Snow Pack – as of March 31, 2022, statewide, the end of the year snowpack was 38% of the April 1 average (snow pack is measured from April 1 to March 31, a 12-month period). April 1 is usually the “high point” for snow accumulation each year. On average, the Sierra Nevada Mountains snowpack, which is a key source of water banked in reservoirs, supplies about 30% of California’s water needs as it melts in the spring and early summer, feeding reservoirs and the water table, resulting in groundwater.

Statewide Reservoir Levels – statewide, as of February 28, 2022, (the latest data available to us), reservoir levels were at 72% of average and 46% of capacity. Every winter, most areas need about 12 inches of rainfall before the ground is saturated enough to get large amounts of runoff into streams and reservoirs. Because last year’s precipitation levels were low and the ground was so dry, the ground absorbed high levels of recent precipitation. California’s reservoirs generally hold enough water to go one dry year without impacts but begin to empty if a wet year does not follow.

The District created the OWL Community Grant Program after several years of successfully funding large, highly visible, public water conservation projects in its member cities. We seek to fund and spur creation of local, grassroots-oriented water conservation projects by providing “seed money” to help schools and non-profit groups possessing plans, inspiration and volunteers. We are very flexible with respect to project approaches and funding levels.

Over the years, we’ve funded dozens of such projects and funding is available to expand and continue such efforts. Please click on the logo above to visit our website and learn more about our local community grant program, examples of past grants and grant guidelines. We look forward to assisting you and working together to promote water conservation.