Article XII. Canal Water Shortage Contingency Plan
3.10.480 Background.
The Colorado River is CVWD’s most reliable supply of imported water. The Colorado River water supplies consist of the following volumes of water based on allocation from the law of the river and transferred water through various agreements such as the quantitative settlement agreement (QSA).
A. The various water allocations on an annual basis are:
1. The base Priority 3(a) allocation is 330,000 acre-feet;
2. The 1988 Metropolitan Water District (MWD) and Imperial Irrigation District (IID) agreement is 20,000 acre-feet;
3. The QSA IID to CVWD transfer ramps up from 5,000 acre-feet in 2003 to 103,000 acre-feet in 2026;
4. Lastly, CVWD can take delivery of 35,000 acre-feet annually from MWD at either the Imperial Dam or through the Colorado River aqueduct to the Whitewater groundwater replenishment facility.
B. The three main deductions to CVWD water supply:
1. Prior perfected rights: 3,000 acre-feet annually;
2. San Diego County Water Authority transfer: 21,500 acre-feet annually;
3. San Luis Rey parties settlement transfer: 4,500 acre-feet annually.
C. Both All American and Coachella Canal system losses are approximately 17,000 acre-feet annually.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Colorado River Water Master will make determinations as to shortage amounts and duration on the Colorado River. Currently, there is no foreseeable reduction to the delivery of CVWD customers at this time. The board of directors shall make all determinations as to the water shortage to CVWD customers. (Ord. 1437.3 § 12-1, 2023; Ord. 1437.2 § 12-1, 2023; Ord. 1437.1 § 12-1, 2022; Ord. 1437 § 2 (Exh. A § 12-1), 2019)