Coordinated Operation of Central Valley and State Water Projects

Water resource projects within the same watershed basin must be operated in coordination with each other to assure the most efficient utilization of the available water supply. Within the Central Valley Basin of California, there are over 50 agencies responsible for the operation of 100 significant reservoirs and appurtenant facilities. Fortunately, two of the principal projects in the Basin, the Bureau of Reclamation's Central Valley Project and California Department of Water Resources' State Water Project, are operated in a coordinated manner through a formal written agreement. As multipurpose projects, each has similar objectives which include irrigation, flood control, power production, water quality control, navigation, fishery and wildlife protection, and recreation. With the growing demands and changing priorities for water, it is not only paramount that today's water manager have the technical experience but also an understanding of human relations.