California Gets $219M Boost for Sites Reservoir Water Storage Projectby Maaz Alin August 25, 2025 in EnvironmentCalifornia Gets $219M Boost for ...

Published on by

California Gets $219M Boost for Sites Reservoir Water Storage Project
by Maaz Alin August 25, 2025 in Environment
California Gets $219M Boost for Sites Reservoir Water Storage Project
Image of the San Luis Reservoir, the largest off-stream reservoir in the U.S.

Once completed, the Sites Reservoir will be the second largest. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Water Resources)

Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that California's Sites Reservoir project has received nearly $219 million in additional state funding to accelerate construction of what will become the nation's second-largest off-stream reservoir.

The California Water Commission approved the funding increase to cover rising costs from project delays, including inflation and expected construction cost increases. The reservoir is designed to hold up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water — enough to supply more than 4.5 million homes for a year.

"We can't wait to protect our state from water shortages — there are 40 million Californians depending on us," Newsom said in a statement. "Each day that we delay these projects costs our state more money."

The additional funding brings Sites Reservoir's total eligibility for Proposition 1 funding to $1.094 billion. The project's total estimated cost is up to $6.8 billion, with roughly $780 million expected to come from federal financing.

Sites Reservoir represents a cornerstone of California's strategy to prepare for increasingly volatile weather patterns driven by climate change. The facility will capture water from the Sacramento River during wet seasons and store it for use during drier periods.

California's climate has warmed significantly over recent decades, leading to greater variability in precipitation with dramatic swings between drought and flood conditions. A recently released State Water Project Adaptation Strategy details more than a dozen state actions designed to protect water supplies through the State Water Project system.

The reservoir project previously overcame a legal challenge under the California Environmental Quality Act after Newsom streamlined the approval process. The governor has emphasized the urgency of completing water infrastructure projects quickly to avoid further cost escalations.

"The Legislature has an opportunity to make history by fast-tracking critical water infrastructure that will ensure we are resilient against droughts and can continue delivering necessary water — a basic human right — to all Californians," Newsom said.

Once completed, Sites Reservoir will be the second-largest off-stream reservoir in the United States, trailing only the San Luis Reservoir. Off-stream reservoirs store water diverted from rivers and streams rather than blocking waterways with dams.

The project is part of a broader water infrastructure push by the Newsom administration. The governor has also announced a legislative package to expedite the Delta Conveyance Project, another major water infrastructure initiative designed to improve the state's ability to capture and move water during intense storm events.

During last year's atmospheric river storms, the Delta Conveyance Project could have captured enough water to supply 9.8 million people for a full year, according to state estimates. The project would expand California's water supply reliability while maintaining environmental and water quality protections.

Both projects address California's need for improved conveyance infrastructure to transport water from areas where it falls to regions where it's needed most. The state's 40 million residents face increasing water supply challenges as climate change intensifies weather extremes.

The Sites Reservoir project's advancement comes as western states grapple with ongoing water shortages and prepare for what scientists predict will be a hotter, drier future. California has already experienced marked increases in precipitation variability, creating challenges for water managers trying to balance supply and demand.

Additional information about the Sites Reservoir project is available at build.ca.gov.

The funding announcement reflects California's commitment to building resilient water infrastructure capable of withstanding climate change impacts while serving the state's growing population and economy.

The Sites Reservoir funding comes as other California water infrastructure projects highlight the critical importance of maintaining operational water storage facilities. In June, the Santa Ynez Reservoir in Pacific Palisades returned to service after more than a year of repairs, ending a prolonged outage that left the critical water storage facility empty during January's devastating firestorm.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announced June 26 that the 117-million-gallon reservoir is operational again following extensive work on its synthetic rubber floating cover, which had suffered significant damage since early 2024. The reservoir's absence during the Palisades Fire sparked questions about the city's water infrastructure preparedness, as firefighters encountered hydrants that lost pressure or ran dry during the emergency.

"While I'm glad it's now back in service, the reservoir has been offline since early 2024, including on the one day in history it was needed most," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park, who represents Pacific Palisades. "Our water infrastructure must be emergency-ready, every day. Anything less puts everything we hold dear at risk."
SOURCE: https://smdp.com/news/environment/california-gets-dollar219m-boost-for-sites-reservoir-water-storage-project/

Media

Taxonomy