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| Recent rains leave West Side still thirsty |
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| Written by Jonathan Partridge / Patterson Irrigator / | |
| Wednesday, 30 January 2008 | |
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At a glance
 Recent rains made local creeks run full this past weekend. That rainfall could help local farmers, who will take all the wet stuff they can get as they face tighter restrictions on water access this year. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator A federal court ruling this past summer regarding the Delta smelt, a threatened fish found in the San Joaquin Delta, could mean water curtailments for irrigation districts. In the meantime, farm water officials say they are happy with any rain they can get. “We’re liking this wet weather,” said Bill Harrison, manager of the Patterson-based Del Puerto Water District, which serves about 45,000 acres of farmland between Vernalis and Santa Nella. Del Puerto Water District gets water from the Central Valley Project, a series of conveyance systems and reservoirs that transport water to cities and farms throughout the state. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation estimated earlier this month that contractors south of the Delta would only receive 25 percent of their normal allocations if the 2007-08 rainy season is a critically dry year, but that was before the recent storms hit. “What you see there (in the early estimates) is even worse than the worst-case scenario,” said Jeff McCracken, a spokesman for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. He said the bureau will have an updated estimate Feb. 15. In the meantime, he said, rainfall near Redding is particularly helpful, as the nearby Shasta Dam feeds into the Central Valley Project. More rain in our area can also help by adding water to the San Joaquin River, Harrison said. The San Joaquin River flows into Old and Middle Rivers near Tracy, which are near state and federal water pumps. A federal court ruling last year tightened restrictions on pumping after U.S. District Court Judge Oliver Wanger rejected a federal wildlife “biological opinion” that had allowed increased pumping for federal water contractors south of the Delta based on the belief that the pumping did not harm the smelt. Environmentalists say the smelt is a major indicator of the San Joaquin Delta’s health. More water in the San Joaquin River could lead federal criteria to be lowered for water levels in Old and Middle rivers. However, McCracken said other factors also are involved, such as where smelt are relative to the pumps.  HIGH RISE: Del Puerto Creek rose substantially Saturday morning after a night of heavy rainfall. Despite the rain, it is still unclear what the water situation will be for local farmers because of a court decision last year regarding a protected fish. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator Harrison said the Del Puerto district has learned how to stretch out water allocations of 65 percent for its contractors. If it receives less than that, it may have to seek other alternatives. Last year, the district only received 50 percent allocation and had to buy water elsewhere to be used later in the season. Irrigation districts that contract with the State Water Project, such as the Oak Flat Water District in the hills southwest of Patterson, could also face 25 percent allocations, according to recent state estimates. However, those allocations are subject to change. Learning to cope A workshop hosted by the Agricultural Water Management Council, a nonprofit group that helps farm water districts manage and use water more efficiently, will address some drought-related issues next week at the Westley Fire Station. Representatives from local irrigation districts will talk about expected water allocations for the upcoming year, and University of California Cooperative Extension representatives will discuss planning tools for farmers to use during critical times of the growing season. UC representatives also will review irrigation practices geared to improve water quality and stretch limited water supplies. Future uncertain Despite the possible need for precautionary measures, farmers’ water supply this year remains unknown.  Future Uncertain: A federal court ruling regarding endangered Delta smelt, inset, found in the San Joaquin Delta, at left, will likely mean water curtailments for irrigation districts. Pi file photo. Harrison said the recent rainfall is good news, noting that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation allowed federal pumping to increase Monday as a result. “The storms are helping,” he said. To reach Jonathan Partridge at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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