State Water Board Drought Year Water Actions
Notices of Water Availability (Curtailment AND EMERGENCY REGULATIONS)
The right to divert surface water in California is based on the type of right being claimed and the priority date. Water right permits specify the season of use, purpose of use and place of use for the quantity of water authorized under the permit or license. In times of drought and limited supply, the most recent (“junior”) right holder must be the first to discontinue use. Even more senior water right holders, such as some riparian and pre-1914 water right holders may also receive a notice to stop diverting water if their diversions are downstream of reservoirs releasing stored water and there is no natural flow available for diversion. In the coming weeks and months, if dry weather conditions persist, the State Water Board will notify certain water right holders in critically dry watersheds of the requirement to stop diverting water under their water right, based on their priority. These notices will be posted below.
2017 WATER YEAR (October 2016 - September 2017)
GENERAL
- Scott River Watershed. On October 24, 2016, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a Notice of Available Water to Divert for Junior Priority Class Rights Specified in the the Scott River Decree in Siskiyou County. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage.
- Term 91. On October 14, 2016, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a Notice of Immediate Lifting of Curtailment to permit and license holders having Term 91 as a condition of their water right. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage.
2016 WATER YEAR (October 2015 - September 2016)
GENERAL
- On July 5, 2016, the Executive Director issued a Notice of Unavailability of Water for those Diverting Water Under a Junior Priority Class Right in the Scott River Watershed Subject to Decree No. 30662. A current supply and senior demand graph is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage.
- On June 9, 2016, the Division of Water Rights issued an advance notice of potential water unavailability to Junior Priority rights in the Scott River watershed subject to Decree No 30662. A current supply and senior demand graph is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage.
- UPDATE: Term 91. On June 2, 2016, the Deputy Director for the Division of Water Rights issued a Notice of Immediate Curtailment to permit and license holders having Term 91 as a condition of their water right. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage.
- Term 91. On May 10, 2016, the Division of Water Rights issued an advance notice of probable curtailment of permit and license holders having Term 91 as a condition of their water right. The Division of Water Rights gave this advance notice to advise affected diverters of the probability of a curtailment, if weather conditions remain on their current pattern. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage.
2015 WATER YEAR (October 2014 - September 2015)
GENERAL
- Re-adoption of Informational Orders. On December 17, 2015, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the Emergency Regulation re-adopted by the State Water Board for issuing Informational Orders, Resolution No. 2015-0075.
- New! Scott River watershed. On December 10, 2015, water is now available for diversion for all junior priority class rights. This release is based on precipitation and flow estimates forecasted by the National Weather Service and will remain in effect until further notice.
- Sacramento and San Joaquin River watershed and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The original November 2nd notice referenced below has since been updated on November 6th.
- Sacramento and San Joaquin River watershed and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. As of November 2, 2015, water is now available for diversion for all post-1914 appropriative water right holders on the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This is a potentially temporary diversion opportunity as the result of recent storm activity.
- Sacramento and San Joaquin River watershed and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. As of November 2, 2015, water is now available for diversion for all post-1914 appropriative water right holders on the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This is a potentially temporary diversion opportunity as the result of recent storm activity.
- Sacramento River watershed and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. As of October 30, 2015, water is now available for diversion by pre-1927 appropriative water right holders on the Sacramento River watershed and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The list of pre-1927 water right holders released under this notice is available here.
- Yuba, American and San Joaquin River watersheds. On October 27, 2015, water is now available for diversion by senior water right holders on the Yuba, American and San Joaquin River watersheds. Water shortage notifications remain in effect for post-1914 water right holders in the Sacramento, San Joaquin and Scott River watersheds as well as the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
- Sacramento, Feather River and Delta watersheds. On September 18, 2015, water is now available for diversion by senior water right holders on the Sacramento, Feather River and Delta. Water shortage notifications remain in effect for pre-1914 water right holders in the Yuba, American and San Joaquin river watersheds, as well as for all post-1914 rights on the Sacramento-San Joaquin River watersheds and Delta. The list of affected parties is available here.
- Sacramento, San Joaquin, Delta and Scott River watersheds. On July 15, 2015, the Executive Director issued a clarification notice to all parties who received a notice of water unavailability in April through June of this year. The clarification notice addresses the recent Sacramento Superior court decision regarding the content of the previous notice. The State Water Board has prepared a fact sheet in anticipation of likely questions regarding the clarification notice. All parties and associated rights who were issued the July 15th notice can be found on the following mailing list.
- Upper San Joaquin & Merced River. On June 26, 2015, the Executive Director issued a curtailment notice for pre-1914 appropriative claims in the Upper San Joaquin River and to pre-1914 appropriative claims in the Merced River with a priority date commencing on or after 1858. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage. See the mailing list for the curtailment notice.
- City & County of San Francisco. On June 26, 2015, the Executive Director issued a clarification letter for some pre-1914 appropriative claims held by the City & County of San Francisco on the Tuolumne River.
- Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. On June 16, 2015, the Executive Director issued a clarification letter to Delta diverters claiming both a riparian and pre-1914 right that while their pre-1914 right has been curtailed (1903+ priority only), they may still exercise their riparian claim. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage.
- Sacramento-San Joaquin & Delta Watersheds. June 12, 2015, the Executive Director issued a curtailment notice for pre-1914 appropriative claims in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River & Delta watersheds with a 1903 or later priority date. The conditions at time of the June 12th notice are shown here. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage. See the mailing list for the curtailment notice.
- Summary of Curtailed Water Rights - 2015
- UPDATE: Deer Creek. On June 2, 2015, the State Water Board issued a Notice of Deer Creek Juvenile Salmonid Pulse Flow Scheduled to Begin Immediately, Followed by Suspension of Order WR 2015-0019-DWR. As specified in the Notice, the State Water Board has scheduled a Deer Creek juvenile pulse flow, to begin immediately and continue through June 3, 2015 at 8:00PM, followed by suspension of Order WR 2015-0019-DWR on June 3, 2015 at 8:00PM. A pulse flow ramp down period may begin on June 3, 2015 at 8:00 AM. Curtailments of those diverting water in the Sacramento River Watershed with a Post-1914 Appropriative Right remain in effect.
- Antelope Creek Watershed. On May 29, 2015, the State Water Board issued a Notice of Suspension of Order WR-2015-0017-DWR. Curtailments of those diverting water in the Sacramento River Watershed with Post-1914 Appropriative Right remain in effect.
- Sacramento River Watershed. May 1, 2015, the Executive Director issued a curtailment notice for all post-1914 water rights in the Sacramento River watershed. The conditions at time of the May 1st notice are shown here. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage. See the mailing list for the curtailment notice.
- Term 91. On April 30, 2015, the Deputy Director for the Division of Water Rights issued a curtailment notice to the holders of 88 water rights in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed with Term 91 as a condition of their permit or license. On October 2, 2015, the Deputy Director for the Division of Water Rights issued a curtailment notice to an additional 11 holders of water rights in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed with Term 91 as a condition of their permit or license. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage. See the mailing list for the curtailment notices.
- San Joaquin River Watershed. On April 23, 2015, the Executive Director issued a curtailment notice for all post-1914 water rights in the San Joaquin River watershed. The conditions at time of the April 23rd notice are shown here. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage. See the mailing list for the curtailment notice.
- Scott River Watershed. On April 23, 2015, the Executive Director issued a curtailment notice for all junior priority class rights in the Scott River watershed subject to Decree No. 30662. Current curtailment information is available on the Watershed Analysis webpage.
- Deer Creek Watershed. On April 17, 2015, the Deputy Director for the Division of Water Rights issued Order WR 2015-0019-DWR with Attachment A: Curtailment Order in the Matter of Diversion of Water from Deer Creek. Current curtailment information is available on the Mill, Deer and Antelope Creeks Curtailment webpage.
- On March 30, 2015, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the 2015 Emergency Regulation for Insufficient Flows for Specific Fisheries in Mill, Deer, and Antelope Creeks and it is now in effect. The OAL Notice of Approval and comment letters to OAL are available on the Emergency Regulation Development page.
- On March 17, 2015, the State Water Board Re-adopted the 2015 Emergency Regulation for issuing Information Orders, Resolution No. 2015-0015
- Water Availability Planning Tool for Specific Watersheds
- Notice of Probable Curtailment of Water Diversion During 2015, Term 91
- Statewide Notice of Potential Future Curtailment
- Fact Sheets – Water Rights Holders Likely to Face Curtailment in: 2015 | 2014
- If you have received a Curtailment Notice or Curtailment Order and have questions, please call (916) 341-5342.
- Frequently Asked Questions about Curtailment
- Clarification Regarding the use of Previously Stored Water by Water Right Holders Receiving Curtailment Notices
Staff continues to receive questions regarding whether the use of water, previously stored under a water right, is subject to curtailment. The State Water Board’s curtailment of water rights does not limit the use of water previously stored in a pond or reservoir. Therefore, uses of previously stored water authorized by a permit, license, registration or certificate can continue. The curtailment notice restricts the water right holder’s ability to directly divert water or to collect water to storage, including to refill storage space lost to beneficial use.
WATERSHEDS AFFECTED
Curtailments for the 2015 water year have begun. The following is a brief summary of the curtailments that have been issued to date and the anticipated curtailments yet to be issued.
Curtailments Issued:
- Term 91 on April 30, 2015
- Antelope Creek on April 3, 2015 (fishery flows) (suspended May 29, 2015)
- Deer Creek on April 17, 2015 (fishery flows)
- San Joaquin River watershed post-1914 on April 23, 2015
- Scott River watershed post-1914s and surplus rights on April 23, 2015
- Sacramento River watershed post-1914 on May 1, 2015
- Sacramento-San Joaquin & Delta watersheds, pre-1914s with 1903-1914 priority on June 12, 2015
Curtailments Upcoming:
- Sacramento-San Joaquin River watershed and Delta: riparian rights under review
Areas on Watch for Watershed Curtailment:
- Curtailment of Pre-1914 Appropriative Claims in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River & Delta Watersheds
The State Water Resources Control Board sent out curtailment notices to pre-1914 appropriative claims with priorities commencing in 1903 or later in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River & Delta watersheds on June 12, 2015.- Sacramento-San Joaquin River & Delta Watershed Curtailment Notice - June 12, 2015
- 2015 Online Curtailment Certification Form
- Upper Russian River
- Eel River
- Curtailment of Diversions in Mill, Deer, and Antelope Creek Watersheds
- Deer and Antelope Creek Curtailment Information - Information on status of the implemented regulation
- Curtailment of Diversions due to Insufficient Flow for Specific Fisheries - information on emergency regulation, adoption by the Board, and OAL approval
- Deer Creek and Antelope Creek 2015 Curtailment Certification Form (PDF)
- Curtailment of Junior Rights in the Scott River Watershed (Siskiyou County)
The State Water Resources Control Board sent out curtailment notices to junior water right holders in the Scott River watershed on April 23, 2015, to protect the senior water rights of the U.S. Forest Service as identified in Scott River Adjudication Decree No. 30662. The priorities of the junior class water right holders were determined by the Superior Court of Siskiyou County and have been identified as either Surplus Class rights, Post-1914 water rights in Schedule E, or junior priority rights in Schedule D4. - Curtailment of Junior Rights in the San Joaquin River Watershed
The State Water Resources Control Board sent out curtailment notices to junior water right holders in the San Joaquin River watershed on April 23, 2015 to protect senior water rights. - Curtailment of Junior Rights in the Sacramento River Watershed
The State Water Resources Control Board sent out curtailment notices to junior water right holders in the Sacramento River watershed on May 1, 2015 to protect senior water rights - Curtailment of Water Rights with Term 91
The State Water Resources Control Board sent out curtailment notices dated April 30, 2015, to the holders of 88 water rights in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed with Term 91 as a condition of their permit or license.
2014 WATER YEAR (October 2013 - September 2014)
GENERAL
- Temporary Curtailment Release for junior priority class water rights within the Scott River Watershed
- Temporary Curtailment Release for post-1953 water rights within the Sacramento & San Joaquin River Watersheds
- Notice of Curtailment Lifting for water rights within the Russian River Watershed
- Notice of Curtailment Lifting for pre-1954 water rights within the Sacramento & San Joaquin River Watersheds
- Plan to Temporarily Lift Curtailments During Future Rainfall Events
- Emergency Regulations: Statewide Drought Related Curtailment of Water Diversions to Protect Senior Water Rights
- Emergency Regulations: Curtailment of Diversions due to Insufficient Flow for Specific Fisheries
- January 17, 2014 - Statewide Notice of Potential Future Curtailment
- 2014 Curtailment Certification Form Summary
- Clarification Regarding the use of Previously Stored Water by Water Right Holders Receiving Curtailment Notices
Staff continues to receive questions regarding whether the use of water, previously stored under a water right, is subject to curtailment. The State Water Board's curtailment of water rights does not limit the use of water previously stored in a pond or reservoir. Therefore, uses of previously stored water authorized by a permit, license, registration or certificate can continue. The curtailment notice restricts the water right holder's ability to directly divert water or to collect water to storage, including to refill storage space lost to beneficial use.
WATERSHEDS AFFECTED
Temporary Curtailment Releases have begun. Please see below for news on your watershed.
- Mill, Deer and Antelope Creek Watersheds
- Scott River Watershed
- Sacramento and San Joaquin River Watersheds
- Water Rights with Term 91
- Russian River Watershed
- Eel River Watershed
- Curtailment of Diversions in Mill, Deer, and Antelope Creek Watersheds
- Mill, Deer, and Antelope Creek Curtailment Information - Information on status of the implemented regulation
- Curtailment of Diversions due to Insufficient Flow for Specific Fisheries - information on proposed regulation, adoption by the Board, and OAL approval
- Curtailment of Junior Rights in the Scott River Watershed (Siskiyou County)
The State Water Resources Control Board sent out curtailment notices to junior water right holders in the Scott River watershed on May 16, 2014, to protect the senior water rights of the U.S. Forest Service as identified in Scott River Adjudication Decree No. 30662. The priorities of the junior class water right holders were determined by the Superior Court of Siskiyou County and have been identified as either Surplus Class rights, Post-1914 water rights in Schedule E, or junior priority rights in Schedule D4.- Temporary Curtailment Release for junior priority class water rights within the Scott River Watershed - 12/3/2014
- Scott River Watershed Curtailment Letter - May 16, 2014
- Scott River Adjudication Decree No. 30662
- Curtailment Certification Form
- January 22, 2014 – Scott River Potential Curtailment
- Human Health & Safety Claim Form
- Curtailment of Junior Rights in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Watersheds
The State Water Resources Control Board sent out curtailment notices to junior water right holders in the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River watersheds on May 27th and 29th , 2014, to protect senior water rights.- Temporary Curtailment Release for post-1953 water rights within the Sacramento & San Joaquin River Watersheds - 11/19/2014
- Notice of Curtailment Lifting for pre-1954 water rights within the Sacramento & San Joaquin River Watersheds - 11/12/2014
- Temporary Curtailment Release for the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Watersheds - October 31, 2014
- Plan to Temporarily Lift Curtailments During Future Rainfall Events - October 3, 2014
- Sacramento & San Joaquin River Watershed Curtailment Letter - May 27, 2014
- Curtailment Certification Form
- Human Health & Safety Claim Form
- Curtailment of Junior Rights in the Russian River Watershed
The State Water Resources Control Board sent notice of curtailment, dated May 27, 2014, to water right holders in the Russian River Watershed upstream of the Russian River’s confluence with Dry Creek. With this notice, the State Water Board is notifying holders of post-1914 appropriative water rights within the Russian River watershed upstream of the confluence of Dry Creek with a priority date of February 19, 1954 or later (Application A015743 or higher), of the need to immediately stop diverting under their junior post-1914 water rights.- Notice of Curtailment Lifting for Water Rights within the Russian River Watershed - November 14, 2014
- Plan to Temporarily Lift Curtailments During Future Rainfall Events - October 3, 2014
- Russian River Watershed Curtailment Letter - May 27, 2014
- Curtailment Certification Form
- Human Health & Safety Claim Form
- Curtailment of Junior Rights in the Eel River Watershed
The State Water Resources Control Board sent a notice of curtailment, dated June 30, 2014, to water right holders in the Eel River Watershed which includes the North Fork Eel, Mainstem Eel and Van Duzen River areas. With this notice, the State Water Board is notifying holders of post-1914 appropriative water rights within the Eel River watershed of the need to immediately stop diverting under their junior post-1914 water rights.
The State Water Resources Control Board sent a curtailment release letter dated August 1, 2014 to select parties downstream of the South Fork confluence with the Eel River due to revised supply data provided by USGS gage recalibrations completed in mid-July. A similar curtailment release letter was sent to parties on the Van Duzen tributary of the Eel River on September 3, 2014.
Temporary Curtailment Release for the Main Stem & North Fork Eel River - October 24, 2014
- Plan to Temporarily Lift Curtailments During Future Rainfall Events - October 3, 2014
- Van Duzen Tributary Curtailment Release Letter - September 3, 2014
- Eel River Curtailment Release Letter - August 1, 2014
- Eel River Watershed Curtailment Letter - June 30, 2014
- Curtailment Certification Form
- Human Health & Safety Claim Form