The Bureau of Reclamation today released the final report on the Central Valley Project Integrated Resource Plan. Reclamation investigated climate change impacts on water supplies and demands in the CVP service area and performed an exploratory analysis of potential adaptation strategies to address these impacts.

The Plan was authorized by the CALFED Bay Delta Authorization Act which directs Reclamation to develop CVP Division-specific water needs assessments and work with partners to develop integrated resource plans.

The Plan provides valuable information for other Reclamation studies, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Basin Study, the CALFED surface storage investigations, the Bay Delta Conservation Plan and the California Department of Water Resources’ California Water Plan Update 2013.

Reclamation employed a scenario-based planning approach by combining three potential socioeconomic and six climate projections to form 18 scenarios characterizing a wide range of future uncertainties. Potential adaptation strategies identified in the Plan include increased water conservation, storage, conveyance and others.

The Plan Summary Report may be viewed at http://www.usbr.gov/mp/SSJBasinStudy/.

For additional information, please contact Michael Tansey at 916-978-5197 (TTY 1-800-877-8339) or mtansey@usbr.gov.
Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit their website at www.usbr.gov.