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Contractors
All south-of-Delta Central Valley Project contractors are in the same
position as Westlands with respect to water supply reliability. Surpluses
are not expected to be available in the future unless Central Valley Project
contractors north of the Delta are limited to wheeling opportunities through
State Water Project facilities. With all of the current demands and future
uncertainties, the likelihood of extra export capability through State
Water Project facilities is very limited.
Farmer to Farmer Transfers
Exchanges with State Contractors
Under the terms of the Monterey Agreement, the acquisition of water from
the State Water Contractors can only be through an exchange. This means
that for every acre-foot of water Westlands obtains, the District is obligated
to return the same quantity to the exchanging contractor within 10 years.
Given that Central Valley Project water supply reliability has been severely
reduced, the opportunities for west side water districts to return water
is limited to extremely wet years, such as in 1983, 1995 or 1998.
Flood Flows
On a year-by-year basis, flood flows from the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers
are available to Westlands. These water supplies flow into the Mendota
Pool on a seasonal basis and are available to the District through the
7-1 Pumping Plant. However, due to pumping plant limitations, water delivery
to the District is limited to approximately 20,000 acre-feet.
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