Although rains and snow are blanketing California, it is still not clear whether there will be water in storage later this spring and summer when it is most needed for various purposes. California has nearly 39 million people and a spectacular landscape supporting various other species–all of which depend upon a managed water system to help provide drinking water and other domestic uses, the most diverse and high quality food grown anywhere in the world, the cold water and habitat for fish, and habitat for birds along the Pacific Flyway. The last four dry years and a changing climate has reinforced that for all of these beneficial uses to thrive in California, we need robust surface water storage throughout California.
There have recently been several editorials by major newspapers that see this dynamic and are calling for new smart storage in California. This includes adding Sites Reservoir in Northern California to the statewide water system to help provide important storage in late spring and throughout the year. The Sacramento Bee recently stated that “California Needs to Invest in Sites Reservoir.” It added that: “California must develop a modern water system and strategy that includes greater flexibility to deal with climate change and a growing demand for an unpredictable supply of water. The proposed Sites reservoir on the west side of the Sacramento Valley fits into that system. It would be an important part of a broad portfolio that includes more wastewater recycling, stormwater capture, desalination, conservation and environmental protection… Proper operation of the reservoir would have downstream benefits for the Delta, waterfowl habitat and for fisheries.”
The Modesto Bee added that “Its Time State Invested in Sites Reservoir.” According to the editorial board, “one project in particular is so clearly in the state’s best interest, that commissioners should find a way to commit to it more quickly – building Sites Reservoir on the west side of the Sacramento Valley. As we first said in 2008, the proposed reservoir will be an integral component in improving California’s environment and water reliability.” Sites will “increase storage capacity, improve operation of the statewide water system and provide benefits to the Delta ecosystem in a “cost-effective” manner. Sites does all of the above, but it does even more. Through an “environmental water account,” Sites could contribute to wildlife refuges along the Pacific flyway while creating flexibility so that cold water pools behind dams in Shasta, Oroville and Folsom lakes could be used for salmon migrations.”
The Los Angeles Times also ran a story that provides some important insights into the need for Sites Reservoir at: Is the era of dam-building over? Backers of several major projects say it shouldn’t be.
