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 will receive an additional $129 million in federal funding, brining us one step closer to improving the state’s water flexibility, reliability, and resiliency in drier years. 💧 #SitesReservoir #BuildSitesNow
https://sitesproject.org/press-releases/sites-reservoir-to-receive-additional-129-million-in-federal-funding-to-ensure-clean-reliable-drinking-water-for-western-communities/
Follow Us on Instagram.
We’re thrilled to welcome Shayleen O’Connell as the new Finance Manager for the Sites Project Authority! 👋
Shayleen, a 5th generation Colusa County resident, brings invaluable financial expertise and a deep connection to the Sacramento Valley’s farming communities. As we transition from planning to final design and construction, her leadership will be vital in ensuring reliable water resources for California’s future. 💧 #BuildSitesNow #WaterReliability #SacramentoValley #CaliforniaWater
https://sitesproject.org/press-releases/sites-project-authority-welcomes-new-finance-manager-shayleen-oconnell/
@CAWalnuts understands we need innovative water supply solutions, like Sites Reservoir, in the face of climate change. #WhySites
Last week, the Department of the Interior awarded the Sites Reservoir Project $129 million, increasing the current total to $646.15 million in federal funding committed to the Project. Sites Reservoir would not be possible without the continued support of our state and federal partners, who share our commitment to increasing California’s water resiliency amid a changing climate. 💧
Learn more at the link in our bio. #SitesReservoir #BuildSitesNow #WaterReliability #CaliforniaWater
We’ve reached a major milestone for the Sites Reservoir Project! 🚧 The Authority launched a competitive RFQ process to select a Construction Manager at Risk to help build the reservoir and roads portion of the project. 💧 Firms are invited to submit their qualifications by March 10. Learn more at the link in our bio. #SitesReservoir #BuildSitesNow #WaterReliability #CaliforniaWater
@NorCalWater supports Sites Reservoir because it would benefit farms, wildlife, and rural communities throughout Northern California. #WhySites
Sites Reservoir is designed to capture excess rainwater during heavy storms. We need to #BuildSitesNow to help prevent flooding and store water for dry months, when it’s needed most.
🔗 Learn more at SitesProject.org
@SecureWaterAlliance supports Sites Reservoir because it’s a forward-thinking strategy to meet our future water needs. #WhySites
2024 was a year filled with major milestones thanks to collaboration among our participants, robust local engagement, and support from our state and federal partners.
✅ Reached $273.1 million in federal funding
✅ Demonstrated wet years can produce enough water to fill Sites Reservoir
✅ Courts found the project CEQA compliant
✅ Completed our first land acquisition
We’re looking forward to continuing this momentum in 2025 and building a reservoir that will serve California for generations to come. 💧
🔗 Visit SitesProject.org to learn more.
#BuildSitesNow #SitesReservoir #CAWater #Maxwell #California
Follow Us on Facebook.
We’re thrilled to welcome Shayleen O’Connell as the new Finance Manager for the Sites Project Authority! 👋
Shayleen, a 5th generation Colusa County resident, brings invaluable financial expertise and a deep connection to the Sacramento Valley’s farming communities. As we transition from planning to final design and construction, her leadership will be vital in ensuring reliable water resources for California’s future. 💧 #BuildSitesNow #WaterReliability #SacramentoValley #CaliforniaWater
sitesproject.org/press-releases/sites-project-authority-welcomes-new-finance-manager-shayleen-oco...
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations Shayleen and Sites!....an excellent choice!
Congratulations Shayleen ❤️
Just get it built already!