New reservoir may help satisfy thirst for water

From the Redding Record Searchlight
Monday, February 5, 2001

Editorial – New reservoir may help satisfy thirst for water

Water managers haven’t given up their seemingly endless pursuit of a formula that would fairly and diplomatically divide one of this state’s most precious natural resources. The glass is always half-empty instead of half-full given the ingrained pessimism of these water stewards.

So news of a water pact between the usually warring north-south factions is worth noting. We could have a partial solution to threats of rationing in drought years and mandatory river flows for the benefit of salmon and steelhead. The propel gaining favor is the construction of an offstream reservoir west of Maxwell in Colusa County.

The proposed Sites Reservoir would siphon water from the Sacramento River during high winter flows and keep it in reserve until supplies run low. Water agencies are backing this dam proposal principally to satisfy a requirement of flushing the San Francisco Bay Delta to keep salt water from intruding too far.

The Sites proposal is pending before the state Water Resources Control Board after getting uncharacteristic support from water agencies and irrigation districts from the north and south. “Never before have we had that unanimity,” said Van Tenny, general manager of the Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District in Willows.

Anticipated opposition is coming from environmentalists, and their concerns need to be investigated! The reservoir could hold nearly half as much water as that sitting behind Shasta Dam, so the impoundment is no small matter. If the Sites plan moves forward, exhaustive studies would be done on environmental ef fects. This review likely wouldn’t he wrapped up until the summer of 2004 at the earliest.

The Sites Reservoir, if approved and built, wouldn’t be the sole answer to all our needs. Tapping into groundwater supplies, practicing water conservation and employing other water stretching strategies would have to play a part. As the state population grows and creates more water demand, other reservoirs should be considered, particularly in the Sierra Nevada.

Recent, plentiful water years have spared the state from prolonged water fights. But the forecast isn’t good. Already we’re hearing warnings of a dry summer and farmers are being told to expect scant supplies.

Californians shouldn’t be shocked that water shortages are looming. The state hasn’t made significant additions to its water infrastructure since the 1960’s. The same is true for electricity. When demand grew and more power plants weren’t built, shortages were inevitable.

Instead of bickering, it’s refreshing that various agencies in the state have come together on a plan to provide more water. The Sites Reservoir may turn out to be a worthwhile project;well know more after further studies. Well likely be desperate for that water very soon.