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.
Stay Informed
Social Media
Follow Us on Twitter.
;
Sites Reservoir reached key milestones in 2024 that advanced the project toward construction. Learn more about the Project’s progress and what’s ahead for Sites Reservoir in our Annual Report: https://sitesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2024-Sites-Annual-Report_FINAL-Web-1.pdf
Follow Us on Instagram.
California’s water future starts here. 💧 Watch this video to learn how Sites Reservoir is made possible by collaboration. 🔗 Learn more at SitesProject.org. Link in bio. #SitesReservoir #WhySites #SitesStartsHere #CaliforniaWater
Sites Reservoir reached key milestones in 2024 that advanced the project toward construction.
✅ Courts confirmed that our Environmental Impact Report fully complies with CEQA requirements
✅ The project secured key permits from the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife
✅ The Water Right permit process is now underway with the State Water Board
✅ The first land purchase near Maxwell was secured
✅ The Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) selection process kicked off for the dams and reservoir package
These accomplishments mark real progress toward breaking ground on a climate-resilient water storage solution for California!
📘Learn more about the Project’s progress and what’s ahead for Sites Reservoir in our Annual Report by visiting the link in our bio.
California’s water future starts here. 💧 Sites Reservoir is a new way of managing water in California, creating a sustainable model for the future.
🔗 Learn more at SitesProject.org. Link in bio. #SitesReservoir #WhySites #SitesStartsHere #CaliforniaWater
@sbvmwd
Last month, our Board of Directors had the opportunity to tour the future site of Sites Reservoir.
With broad support from across California, we are working together to move this vital project closer to construction.
➡️ Swipe for photos 📸
Learn more at the link in our bio. #BuildSitesNow
Sites Reservoir is designed to capture excess rainfall from heavy storms, relieving the strain on existing reservoirs, helping to prevent flooding and storing water for dry years.
🔗 Check out SitesProject.org for more reasons why it`s time to #BuildSitesNow!
The Sites Reservoir Local Community Working Group met in March to discuss several project updates, including County Developer Agreements, local contracting, workforce, hiring goals and a jobs training initiative.
The Sites Project Authority is committed to collaborating with local community leaders to ensure their input is incorporated into the Sites Reservoir Project.
California’s water future starts here. 💧 Sites Reservoir will provide farmers with a reliable water supply, ensuring they can continue growing the food we all depend on—even during drought years. 🚜🌾🍎 🔗 Learn more at SitesProject.org. Link in bio. #SitesReservoir #WhySites #SitesStartsHere #CaliforniaWater
@colusacountygov
We’ll let the numbers do the talking! Once operational, Sites Reservoir will hold 1.5 million acre-feet of water at full capacity. That’s enough water to serve about 7 million Californians for an entire year! 💧🏡
🔗 Learn more at SitesProject.org.
Follow Us on Facebook.
Sites Reservoir reached key milestones in 2024 that advanced the project toward construction.
✅ Courts confirmed that our Environmental Impact Report fully complies with CEQA requirements
✅ The project secured key permits from the CA Department of Fish & Wildlife
✅ The Water Right permit process is now underway with the State Water Board
✅ The first land purchase near Maxwell was secured
✅ The Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) selection process kicked off for the dams and reservoir package
These accomplishments mark real progress toward breaking ground on a climate-resilient water storage solution for California!
📘Learn more about the Project’s progress and what’s ahead for Sites Reservoir in our Annual Report: sitesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2024-Sites-Annual-Report_FINAL-Web-1.pdf
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Just keep Neuscum away!
Break ground on this already. It’s been 12 years.
This photo has nothing to do with Sites. Sites robs water from the Sacramento River which requires building a new pipeline and pump station in addition to the 12 dams and a bridge already required. If you think this project will cost anywhere close to the advertised budget, think again. Name a water project that came in on budget. Stop shipping water South.