Water Supply Conditions

The water year is October 1 through September 30 of each year. Despite a record breaking wet year in 2023, water supply conditions are still top of mind for LVMWD. Relying solely on potable water delivered from the State Water Project (SWP) and through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern Caifornia (MWD), the state of the snowpack and reservoir levels are important to the total allocation of potable water LVMWD receives. At the height of the last drought, water supplies were stretched so thin LVMWD customers faced a 73% mandatory reduction in water use.

Current Water Supply Conditions:

To gauge current water supply coniditions from a high level see the current status of 3 important peices to the State Water Project, and LVMWD's drinking water supply.

U.S. Drought Monitor - The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a map released every Thursday, showing where drought is and how bad it is across the U.S. and its territories. The map uses six classifications: normal conditions, abnormally dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought: moderate (D1), severe (D2), extreme (D3) and exceptional (D4).

Current Drought Monito showing only abnormaly dry parts of the state in the farthest north and southeast corners of the state

Northern Sierra Precipitation: 8-Station Index - An average of the conditions at 8 sites scattered around the Northern Sierras. This shows a snapshot of the overall wetness, including snowpack and rain, of the major watersheds that feed reservoirs that are part of the SWP, including Lake Oroville. We are currently at 88% of normal levels of wetness.

Graphic showing Northern Sierra Precipitation Over Time with the average total water year precipitation between 1991 and 2020 being 53 inches per year.

California Major Drinking Water Supply Reservoir Levels - Provided by the Departement of Water Resources, this shows the current water levels at important stroage sites in the SWP. Currently Lake Oroville is 130% above the historical average at this time of year and San Luis is at 80% of historical average.

Graphic showing Current Reservoir Levels in California with Oroville being 80% of historical average at 44% full

For additional information on LVMWD's and California's water supply condtions, explore the resources below.

2023 Strategic Communications Plan on Drought Messaging

2022-23 Drought Response Summary

LVMWD Water Supply Conditions and Drought Response Updates:

LVMWD is currently in Stage 2 of our Water Shortage Contingency Plan - Water Shortage Warning

On February 7, 2023, the LVMWD Board voted unanimously to scale back watering restrictions due to improved hydrologic conditions and increased water allocation from the State.

The California Department of Water Resources increased its State Water Project (SWP) allocation from 5% to 30% due to the atmospheric rivers that have pummeled the state so far this winter. SWP reservoirs have filled up significantly, the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is deep, and La Niña conditions are fading – together providing a much-needed break from the historic drought emergency.

As a result of the improvement in water supply, LVMWD will move back to Stage 2 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP). The District has been in Stage 3 for a little over a year. Under Stage 3, the district-wide target for reduction in water use was 35%, which was achieved by customers.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California rescinded their emergency drought declaration on March 15, 2023, ending the one-day a week watering restriction. LVMWD customers budgets have been normalized beginning February with no drought factor being applied. Customers are encouraged to keep up the habits that resulted in such historic conservation efforts and stay in the efficient tier of their water budgets.

Read the LVMWD statement on the move to Stage 2.

Now is the time to transform your landscape!

View the resources below to learn how to design, install, protect and help your water efficient landscape thrive through the cyclical dry periods we experience in our region.

Informational Resources for Customers:

View and Download Updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on what the move to Stage 2 means to customers
Customers will no longer receive exceedance notices mailed or emailed to them. If a customer exceeds their budget the notification will be on their monthly bill.
View an Indoor/Outdoor Water Efficiency Checklist to help you find ways to reduce your water use.
Download or view the table of water uses and practices during the drought. These best practices from Stage 3 will help keep customers use of water as efficient as possible.

Summary of District Response to the ongoing water supply shortage.

On May 17, 2022, the LVMWD Board unanimously voted to adopt the one-day-per-week outdoor watering restrictions specified by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) in their Water Shortage Emergency Condition, effective June 1, 2022.

Addresses that end in EVEN numbers (0,2,4,6,8) can water on TUESDAYS ONLY.

Addresses that end in ODD numbers (1,3,5,7,9) can water on THURSDAYS ONLY.

Watch the Staff report to the Board on the adoption of the one-day-per-week outdoor watering restrictions.

View or download the slide presentation outlining the details of these new restrictions.

In addition to the measures taken as required by MWD, and as part of LVMWD's ongoing response to the projected water supply shortages in the State Water Project system, outdoor budgets have been reduced and a new penalty structure, including possible installation of flow restriction devices, have been approved by the Board of Directors. Notices are being mailed and emailed informing customers whose continued out of budget water use has made them eligible for the installation of a flow restrictor.

Additionally, LVMWD staff continue to work with state and local elected officials, county fire agencies, and other water districts to secure additional water resources to help prevent and protect customers against wildfire. State Senator Henry Stern has already submitted a letter to the California Department of Water Resources urging them for additional allocations.

Download or read Senator Henry Sterns letter to DWR

These watering restriction only applies to potable water usage – not recycled water.

Read or download LVMWD news release on the May 17, 2022, LVMWD board action.

View the materials and recording of the May 11, 2022 town hall meeting.

Water Shortage Contingency Plan