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 Bird’s-Eye View of California’s Water Future
Join JP Robinette, Engineering and Construction Manager for the Sites Project Authority, for a drone tour of the future Sites Reservoir site. Discover how the project leverages existing water infrastructure to capture water from the Sacramento River and deliver it to our participants. More than just a reservoir, Sites is a climate-resilient investment in California’s future.
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We’re grateful to our federal partners at the @Interior, who have helped make this project possible and look forward to advancing Sites in the coming year.
Learn more at http://sitesproject.org.
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We’re grateful to our federal partners at the @usinterior, who have helped make this project possible and look forward to advancing Sites in the coming year.
Learn more at sitesproject.org.
Sites Reservoir is supported by a statewide coalition of water agencies, government partners, and elected officials. It reflects a shared commitment to strengthening California’s water future. #BuildSitesNow
Sites Reservoir will provide a more flexible water supply for California that will benefit communities, farms, and ecosystems across the state.
Learn more at SitesProject.org
Today, the @bureau_of_reclamation issued their Record of Decision (ROD) for the Sites Reservoir Project, certifying that it meets all aspects of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). With this decision, we can now leverage all available funding and move the project forward through the final planning stages and on to construction. Visit the link in our bio to learn more!
#DidYouKnow? Sites Reservoir is a rain-fed reservoir. It’s designed to capture and store water from major storms and store it for use by California’s communities, farms, and environment during dry periods.
Sites Reservoir is a flexible water storage solution for California. It will support urban, agricultural, and environmental users—storing water during wet periods and releasing it when water is scarcer.
Learn more at SitesProject.org
Another year, another step closer to construction! 2025 was filled with several milestones for Sites Reservoir, made possible by our participants and our state and federal partners.
✅ Secured more than $490 million in state and federal funding
✅ Demonstrated Sites Reservoir would have captured enough water for more than 3 million people
✅ Secured key state and federal permits for construction
✅ Launched a CMAR contractor selection process
✅ Celebrated 15 years of the Sites Project Authority
We look forward to continuing this momentum this year as we move closer to breaking ground on this generational water storage project! #BuildSitesNow #SitesReservoir #CAWater
We are saddened by the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, a steadfast advocate for Sites Reservoir and his constituents in Northern California. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
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We’re grateful to our federal partners at the U.S. Department of the Interior, who have helped make this project possible and look forward to advancing Sites in the coming year.
Learn more at sitesproject.org.
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