System Reoperation, Phase 3: Appendix C: State Water Project and Central Valley Project Integrated Operations Analysis

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is conducting a system reoperation study (SRS) in cooperation with other state and federal agencies, local water districts, groundwater managers, and other stakeholders to identify potential strategies for reoperation of the statewide flood protection and water supply systems. The opportunity to reoperate portions of California’s statewide water system to yield increased water resources–related benefits was recognized by the State Legislature in Senate Bill (SB) X2 1 (Perata, 2008 – Water Code Section 83002.5).

In support of the legislative objectives, DWR developed the SRS to identify viable reoperation strategies and understand how integrated management can:

• Improve the reliability of municipal and irrigation water supply
• Reduce flood hazards
• Restore and protect ecosystem function and habitat conditions
• Buffer the hydrologic variations expected from climate change
• Improve water quality

A component of the SRS is to evaluate how operational improvements of the state and federal water Projects in California may increase water supply and enhance ecosystem function and habitat. The Central Valley Project (CVP) generally has more storage and less conveyance flexibility; the opposite is generally true for the State Water Project (SWP). The SWP and CVP are operated by DWR and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), respectively. The operation of the two Projects is coordinated in accordance with the 1986 Coordinated Operating Agreement and other agreements. Though the operation is coordinated, the SWP and CVP are operating as two distinct units. They each have different contractual obligations and operating constraints. Operational improvements using strengths and assets of both Projects may result in improved operational efficiency and help achieve goals of the SRS. The purpose of this effort is to assess potential benefits of operating the SWP and CVP as a single, integrated Project.

RELATED DOCUMENTS:

System Reoperation Study, Phase 1: Plan of Study

System Reoperation Study, Phase 2: Strategy Formulation and Refinement

System Reoperation Study, Phase 2: Appendix A: Forecast?Based Operations Analysis

System Reoperation Study, Phase 2: Appendix B: Tradeoff Analysis

System Reoperation Study, Phase 3 Report: Assessment of Reoperation Strategies

System Reoperation, Phase 3: Appendix C: State Water Project and Central Valley Project Integrated Operations Analysis

System Reoperation, Phase 3 Appendix D: Ecosystem Evaluation