Today, Congressman John Duarte (CA-13) joined various stakeholders to sign the Principles of Agreement for the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project. This initiative involves the San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority, the Westlands Water District, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
The project aims to add 130,000 acre-feet of storage at San Luis Reservoir, benefiting over two million families, one million acres of farmland, and wildlife habitats in California's Central Valley. It marks a significant increase in federal surface water storage capacity since the late 1970s and is the first new storage capacity in California since the 1990s.
Congressman Duarte commented on the project's impact: “When our Valley has water, we have good-paying jobs and affordable groceries. The expansion of San Luis Reservoir is a vital step towards securing water abundance for Valley families, farms, and communities. 130,000 acre-feet of additional water storage capacity at San Luis Reservoir will help provide our communities more of the water we need. It is a starting step, but we need to do more. That's why I'm also bringing my Democrat and Republican friends together to extend the Folsom South Canal to send more water to our Valley. We must also build Sites Reservoir and enlarge Shasta Reservoir to capture more water during wet years for use in dry ones."
The project promises increased storage capacity by enlarging San Luis Reservoir to capture up to 130,000 acre-feet of additional water for use in the region. Economic growth is anticipated through job creation in agriculture, housing development, and reduced grocery costs. Additionally, it supports environmental stewardship by aiding Pacific Flyway wetlands and wildlife habitats.
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