Newsom Administration Approves Sites Reservoir; Construction Starts in 2027
The $7 billion project would add about 0.5% to California’s water supply, while opponents warn it would harm salmon and native fish.
- On Wednesday, the State Water Resources Control Board voted 5-0 to approve a water right permit for the Sites Reservoir near Maxwell, Calif., clearing the largest new surface water storage infrastructure built in California in more than 50 years.
- Officials argue the $7 billion reservoir is essential for California to adapt to climate change, capturing Sacramento River water during wet winters to supply 24 million Californians during dry periods.
- The 1.5 million acre-foot lake will cost between $6.2 billion and $6.8 billion, with $1.3 billion from Proposition 1 and federal funding, though Friends of the River called the project "amazingly ill-conceived."
- Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the decision, saying "California can get big infrastructure projects moving again," while Amanda Mitchum of the Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians warned the reservoir would cover ancestral trails.
- Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027 and conclude in 2034, though planners must finalize funding and water distribution agreements among 22 participating water agencies from across California.
14 Articles
14 Articles
California water board clears final hurdle for Sites Reservoir construction to begin
By Brady Halbleib California is one step closer to building a new, massive reservoir in Northern California. The state Water Resources Control Board unanimously approved a water rights permit for the Sites Reservoir project, clearing one of the biggest hurdles after decades of planning. Jerry Brown, executive director of the Sites Project Reservoir, said the
Newsom administration approves Sites Reservoir; construction starts in 2027
State officials have approved the final key permit needed to build the largest new reservoir in California in 50 years, a project supporters say will supply water to millions of Californians from the East Bay and Silicon Valley to Los…
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Lodinews.comNewsom administration approves largest new reservoir in California in 50 years, construction set to begin next year
Sites Reservoir would be 8th largest in California, providing water to Bay Area, Central Valley farms and Los Angeles
'Major blow to Tribes': California approves Sites Reservoir permit
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