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.
Stay Informed
Social Media
Follow Us on Twitter.
;
During drought, having water in storage is one of the most valuable tools for keeping California resilient. Sites Reservoir is designed to capture store water in wet periods, so it's available during dry years when we need it most.
Learn more at http://SitesProject.org.
Follow Us on Instagram.
During drought, having water in storage is one of the most valuable tools for keeping California resilient. Sites Reservoir is designed to capture store water in wet periods, so it`s available during dry years when we need it most.
Learn more at SitesProject.org.
#BuildSitesNow
California continues to experience dramatic swings between wet and dry conditions, proving the need for more water storage. Sites Reservoir will capture and store water to support communities, farms, and the environment when it`s needed most.
Learn more at SitesProject.org.
Sites Reservoir was awarded an additional $268.9M in conditional Prop 1 funding — officially making it the largest water storage investment in California.
It`s another powerful vote of confidence in the critical role Sites will play in securing reliable water for our communities, farms, and environment. 🏠🌾🪿
🔗 Learn more at the link in our bio.
#BuildSitesNow #CaliforniaWater #WaterStorage #WaterResilience #Sustainability
As drought cycles intensify and storms become more extreme, off-stream storage is more important than ever. Sites Reservoir is a rain-fed reservoir designed to capture water from intense storms and store it for when California needs it most. #BuildSitesNow
With 29 participants spanning California and 16 more on the waitlist, the Sites Reservoir Project is backed by one of the state`s broadest and most diverse water coalitions. That growing support is what`s moving this Project forward.
Learn more at SitesProject.org.
Sites Reservoir reached major milestones in 2025, putting the project on the path toward construction.
✅ CA Department of Fish & Wildlife approved the Project’s Master Streambed Alteration Agreement
✅ U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued its Biological Opinion for federal endangered species compliance
✅We launched a procurement process to select a CMAR for the Reservoir and Roads Package, including shortlisting top applicants
✅ We adopted a Construction Workforce Policy to support a skilled regional workforce
✅ The project secured more than $480M in new state and federal funding commitments
Each milestone brings us closer to delivering a 21st‑century reservoir that will provide water reliability, operational flexibility, and environmental benefits for generations to come.
Learn more about the project’s progress and what’s ahead for Sites Reservoir at the link in our bio.
Today, we launched a competitive procurement process to select a Construction Manager at Risk to construct the up to $2 billion conveyance infrastructure package for the Sites Reservoir Project. Qualified firms are invited to apply by July 29. Learn more at the link in our bio.
California voters passed Prop 1 to invest in water storage that benefits people and the environment. Sites Reservoir will be the first and only reservoir in the state to have dedicated environmental water to support wildlife and ecosystems.
Learn more at SitesProject.org.
Follow Us on Facebook.
During drought, having water in storage is one of the most valuable tools for keeping California resilient. Sites Reservoir is designed to capture store water in wet periods, so it's available during dry years when we need it most.
Learn more at SitesProject.org. #BuildSitesNow
11 CommentsComment on Facebook
They have been preparing for this reservoir since the 1950’s. I predict that in another 60 years or so they might be getting close to filling it!
Pump it back in the ground to recharge the Aquifer , otherwise evaporation well not make it worth the trouble.
And then when the water is needed will send its warmed up water into the sac killing more of our anadromous fish. They don't tell you this part of sites resevior and why we are fighting against it. We already have a warm water issue for both our adult salmon and steelhead but especially for our juveniles migrating out to the ocean. The outflow of this resevior will only add even more warmer water to the Sac. So let's kill more of our esa listed endangered and threatened species.