California Residents Warned of Possible “Extremely Limited Water Supply”  

California residents and industrial users receiving water from the Central Valley Project were warned on Monday by federal water managers to prepare for the possibility of an “extremely limited water supply” next year.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation explained in a news release just how many people are reliant upon the project for their source of water.  “The Central Valley Project began the 2023 water year on October 1 with water storage reservoirs near historic lows. Shasta Reservoir, the state’s largest reservoir and cornerstone of the Central Valley Project, is currently at 31% capacity.” 

The statement further detailed, “If drought conditions extend into 2023, Reclamation will find it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to meet all the competing needs of the Central Valley Project without beginning the implementation of additional and more severe water conservation actions.”

According to CNBC, most of California’s water comes when storms bring snow during the winter months. However, low precipitation and record temperatures have made residents of California and other states dealing with the same problem plan for a future with dwindling water supplies. 

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will announce initial water supply allocations for the Central Valley Project in February 2023.