Metropolitan official: State water allocation up to 45% but Colorado River cuts could force future reductions

Na Zavon, a water resource specialist with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, told the Glendale Water and Power Commission on June 1 that this year’s State Water Project allocation for Metropolitan was increased to 45%, or roughly 880,000 acre-feet, after unusually favorable reservoir captures despite a below-normal snowpack.

That allocation, Zavon said, “puts us in a very good position this current calendar year,” noting carryover storage and transfer opportunities that help Metropolitan manage supplies.

The presentation framed the good news against serious risks on the Colorado River. Zavon said Colorado River runoff is running at roughly 30% of normal and that a Bureau of Reclamation decision to limit Lake Powell releases to 6 million acre-feet (down from typical releases of about 7.5 million) will likely depress lower-basin reservoir levels, including Lake Mead. She said lower-basin states have proposed cuts under negotiation and that Metropolitan’s Colorado River supplies could be reduced by as much as about 400,000 acre-feet in coming years.

Commissioners pressed for context on what 45% means for Metropolitan and Glendale. Staff explained 45% refers to Metropolitan’s contract share of the State Water Project (about 1.9 million acre-feet at 100%), so the 45% allocation equates to about 880,000 acre-feet for Metropolitan. Commissioners asked whether earlier snowmelt driven by climate change will require more storage; Zavon pointed to Sites Reservoir and the Delta Conveyance Project as potential large-scale responses, while cautioning that conveyance and regulatory constraints complicate capture and movement of flows.

Zavon emphasized that though conditions are currently better than in recent drought years, the region should keep conservation as a baseline practice. “We’re not in drought condition right now,” she said, “but given the looming cuts on the Colorado…we should continue to be very conserving of water.”

Commissioners and staff discussed local implications, including the potential to leave additional water in Lake Mead as system water and the role of storage, pricing and external water sales in Metropolitan’s budgeting. The presentation also noted Metropolitan’s interest in selling surplus water in wet years to raise revenue, while stressing that long-term reliability and diversification of local supplies (recycled water, potable reuse, and conservation) remain city priorities.

The commission concluded the item after a wide-ranging question-and-answer session with Metropolitan staff. The district’s presentation and the commission’s discussion did not include any formal votes; staff said they would provide follow-up details on questions about cost, allocation mechanics and scenario planning.