Sites Reservoir: Water for Dry Years
Now more than ever, California needs innovative solutions to ensure we have a sustainable water supply. Our climate has changed, and we need more storage as the West gets drier and hotter to ensure we have enough water to meet our needs.
Sites Reservoir is a unique, multi-benefit water storage project that will capture and store water from major storms, so water is available to California’s communities, farms, and environment during dry periods.
The water that Californians use for drinking, recreating and protecting the environment moves through a system that is arguably the most complex in the world.
Sites Reservoir Benefits
- Reliable dry-year water supply for California’s communities, farms and environment
- Dedicated environmental water for native fish, migratory birds, and their habitats
- Adaptable to climate change
- Contribution to California’s renewable energy goals
- Flood management
- Recreational opportunities
- Job creation, including a large skilled workforce during construction
Sites Reservoir Fast Facts
Creates additional 1.5 million acre-foot off-stream storage for drier periods
Increases Sacramento Valley water storage capacity
Creates reliable supplies for environmental, agricultural, and municipal uses
30 participating agencies representing communities across California
A Part of the Sacramento Valley
Sites Reservoir would be located on the west side of the Sacramento Valley, near Maxwell, California – a rural farming town in Colusa County, approximately 65 miles northwest of Sacramento. The Sacramento Valley is known for its farming community, rich agricultural benefits, and natural beauty. The region’s acres of grassland surrounded by rolling foothills make it an ideal location for off-stream water storage. The proposal is widely supported by local community leaders, residents, as well as state water managers and water agencies from the Bay Area to Southern California.
A 21st Century Water Storage System
Sites Reservoir is a water savings account for dry years. It would capture and store stormwater flows from the Sacramento River—after all other water rights and regulatory requirements are met—and release the water for California communities, farms, and environmental agencies to use when it is desperately needed.
Sites Reservoir complements other major reservoirs like Shasta, Oroville, and Folsom, which function as the backbone to both the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project. Sites Reservoir will help optimize water releases from this existing network, greatly increasing the flexibility, reliability and resiliency of statewide water supplies.
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Thanks to @CAGovernor and the State Legislature for classifying Sites Reservoir as critical infrastructure under SB 149. After a rigorous environmental review process, we're ready to make this project a reality for California. Read more here:
Sites Reservoir project clears legal hurdle thanks to streamlining law | Governor of California
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Sites Reservoir’s success is due to a broad mix of statewide participants, including urban water agencies, irrigation districts, and natural resource agencies. They are focused and determined to make the project a reality and deliver water to Californians when and where it’s needed most.
Did you know Sites Reservoir will use existing infrastructure to transport water from the Sacramento River? Water will be diverted at the Red Bluff Pumping Plant and Hamilton City Pump station, avoiding the environmental impacts of constructing new conveyance facilities.
Learn more at sitesproject.org
Thank you to @CAGovernor and the California State Legislature for certifying Sites Reservoir as critical water infrastructure through SB 149. After a rigorous environmental review process, we`re ready to make this project a reality for California.
Sites Reservoir will only divert water from the Sacramento River when:
✔️River flows meet minimum diversion criteria
✔️All downstream water rights have been met
✔️All environmental permit conditions are met
✔️There is capacity in conveyance facilities (TCC and GCID)
Did you know that millions of migratory birds stop at the Central Valley’s wetlands during their Pacific Flyaway journey? Sites Reservoir would help maintain the wetlands that these birds depend on during their migration. Learn more at sitesproject.org.
#ThisJustIn: The Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the Yolo County Superior Court’s decision in favor of the Sites Project Authority today.
The Court’s opinion concludes that the Authority complied with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) during its Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process.
Thank you to the California State Legislature, @CAGovernor, and our participants for your support in recognizing the Sites Reservoir Project as critical water infrastructure for the State. Without SB 149, the Court’s decision could have been delayed by up to several years.
Today’s ruling marks a critical milestone towards making Sites Reservoir a reality! #BuildSitesNow
🔗 Learn more in our press release at ow.ly/qjrF50Ts9ET.
In California, we know drought is inevitable—but with Sites Reservoir, we can have a reliable water supply even during dry periods. Visit our website to learn more. 🔗In Bio #BuildSitesNow #SitesReservoir #CAWater
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Sites Reservoir’s success is due to a broad mix of statewide participants, including urban water agencies, irrigation districts, and natural resource agencies. They are focused and determined to make the project a reality and deliver water to Californians when and where it’s needed most.
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