Reduced water supplies expected

Auburn, Calif.- –The PCWA Board of Directors on Thursday (Mar. 15) heard a report on this year’s water supply outlook from Director of Field Services Mike Nichol. Nichol said he does not anticipate drought conditions but that the agency is expecting reduced water supplies and may have to make special arrangements to supply water to the Zone 5 agricultural area west of Lincoln.

In most years, Zone 5 receives supplemental water from the Pacific Gas & Electric Co., delivered via the Nevada Irrigation District and South Sutter Water District, but Nichol said the PG&E supply will not be available this year. Nichol said the agency may be able to route water from other sources to the area, including some from the temporary pumping station on the American River that is expected to be operational June 15.

As of Mar. 1, the snowpack in the Northern Sierra measured 72 percent of average and the statewide average was 64 percent.  However, March has been warm and dry and the snowpack is melting early. Nichol said the agency will be in a better position to plan this year’s water deliveries following the April 1 snow surveys, which are generally regarded as the most important of the year.