California announces 10% water supply to start the new water year

Chaewon Chung, The Sacramento Bee on Dec 1, 2025

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The Department of Water Resources said Monday the State Water Project will supply 10% of the water that local agencies requested for the new water year.

The initial number is based on current weather and water conditions, how much water is stored in reservoirs and the assumption that the rest of the year could be drier than normal, the state agency said. The allocation is then adjusted month-to-month based on new data, with a final number typically set in May or June.

“Recent history has shown us that anything can happen during a California winter, so it’s important that our early season allocation for the State Water Project is conservative,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth in a statement.

“Traditionally our wettest months are yet to come. With improvements to forecasting and science, we are better prepared to capture water supply during wet periods if Mother Nature delivers,” Nemeth said.

California has endured a stretch of dry seasons in recent years. In 2022, for example, the state experienced a severe dry spell from January through April, with rainfall at only about 25% of average. Experts and meteorologists have said that the state’s dry conditions helped fuel the Palisades and the Eaton fires earlier this year.

In October, as the new water year began, California officials warned that the state continues to face climate-related weather swings, shifting quickly from powerful storms to extended periods of drought.

In Monday’s statement, the agency added that the reservoirs statewide are slightly above normal, at 114% of average typical for this time of year.

“Last year, the SWP’s initial allocation began at five percent and increased to 50 percent by the end of the season. As winter progresses, if the state sees an increase in rain and snowfall totals, the allocation forecast may increase as well,” it continued.

The agency is required to release an early estimate of how much water it expects to deliver by Dec. 1 each year. The first allocation was kept at 5% of requested supplies last year, 10% in 2023 and 5% in 2022.

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