Time to change our use of language about California’s State Water Project and the Central Valley Project. Out with the old (supply reliability) and in with the new (risk management of water shortages).
Author Archives: Rodney T. Smith
Rethinking California’s Water Industry: Part 1—a Zero State Water Project Allocation World
California’s State Water Project is the backbone of the California economy. The recent declaration of a zero water allocation for 2014 has exposed the California economy’s vulnerability to decades of political gridlock and ineffective water agency action. Last Friday’s announced allocations for the federal Central Valley Project piled on. Unless changes are made promptly to California’s “water culture”, look for California growth to come to a screeching halt. To quote Reverend Wright (admittedly out of context), “California, the chickens have come home to roost.” Continue reading
What Will Be the Final Allocation for California’s State Water Project in 2014? Redux
Is DWR’s announced zero allocation for California State Water Project (“SWP”) consistent with predictions from Hydrowonk’s study of the historic record of final SWP Allocations? Yes Continue reading
What Will Be the Final Allocation for California’s State Water Project in 2014?
One answer, who knows check back in April after Mother Nature speaks. But, that is not helpful for planning. Another approach, study the historic record of final SWP allocations. The final SWP Allocation is expected to be 12%, with one-third chance that the final SWP allocation will be below the initial 5% allocation announced last November. Continue reading