Operations The CVP stores about of water in 20 reservoirs in the foothills of the
Sierra Nevada, the
Klamath Mountains and the
California Coast Ranges, and passes about of water annually through its canals. Of the water transported, about goes to irrigate of farmland, supplies municipal uses, and is released into rivers and wetlands in order to comply with state and federal ecological standards. Two large reservoirs,
Shasta Lake and
Trinity Lake, are formed by a pair of dams in the mountains north of the
Sacramento Valley. Water from
Shasta Lake flows into the
Sacramento River which flows to the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and water from
Trinity Lake flows into the
Trinity River which leads to the
Pacific Ocean. Both lakes release water at controlled rates. There, before it can flow on to
San Francisco Bay and the
Pacific Ocean, some of the water is intercepted by a diversion channel and transported to the
Delta-Mendota Canal, which conveys water southwards through the San Joaquin Valley, supplying water to
San Luis Reservoir (a SWP-shared facility) and the
San Joaquin River at
Mendota Pool in the process, eventually reaching canals that irrigates farms in the valley.
Friant Dam crosses the San Joaquin River upstream of Mendota Pool, diverting its water southwards into canals that travel into the
Tulare Lake area of the San Joaquin Valley, as far south as the
Kern River. Finally,
New Melones Lake, a separate facility, stores water flow of a San Joaquin River tributary for use during dry periods. Other smaller, independent facilities exist to provide water to local irrigation districts. The large-scale
levee construction by Chinese workers along the
Delta was where limited
irrigation for orchards first started. Following the arrival of the
Transcontinental railroad, immigration from Asia and the rest of the U.S. led to growing numbers of settlers in the region. Despite the rich soils and favorable weather of the Central Valley, immigrants to the valley who were unfamiliar with its seasonal patterns of rainfall and flooding began to take up irrigation practices. Farmers soon found themselves troubled by frequent floods in the Sacramento Valley and a general lack of water in the San Joaquin Valley.
History In 1873,
Barton S. Alexander completed a report for the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that was the first attempt at creating a Central Valley Project. In 1904, the Bureau of Reclamation (then the Reclamation Service) first became interested in creating such a water project, but did not get far involved until a series of droughts and related disasters occurred in the early 1920s. • 1493 – The
Papal Bull known as the Discovery Doctrine, in Latin titled the "Inter Caetera", gave
Spain the right to take land and convert the indigenous occupants to Christianity in areas west of the Inter Caetera's line of demarcation, which divided the
Western Hemisphere • 1769–76 – The arrival of
Spain and its
Spanish missions in California - Indians promised sovereign control • 1822 -
Republic of Mexico formed - breaks with Spain's sovereign promise to California
Mission Indians • 1823 - The Papal Bulls that made up the
Discovery doctrine from 1455 and 1493 becomes part of U.S. Law •
1833 - Secularization Act closes
California Missions and sells off church properties • The act initiated the transfer of 64 million acres of tribal lands via
land grants or
Ranchos to former Spanish citizens of
Californio •
1846 Bear Flag Rebellion - as part of the
Mexican–American War and U.S. invasion of California - Republic of California • 1846 -
John Fremont kills original owner of the largest North American
mercury mine at
New Almaden after failing to buy it • 1846 -
Yerba Buena land grant takes its name from local Catholic mission and becomes San Francisco • 1848 -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo promises Mexican-Americans ownership of their
Ranchos (ranches) and
water rights • 1849 - Influx of 80,000 immigrants during
Gold Rush includes
riots and land theft by
squatter movement • Sept-Oct - Californians meets in Monterrey for the first
California Constitutional Convention • 1850 -
California admitted to Union • 1850s -
Hydraulic mining in gold region contaminates
Sacramento Delta with silt and mercury • 1850 -
California Indian Protection Act removes Indian's civil rights and enslaves them, starting the mass
genocide of many of the state's 300 tribes • 1850 - California adopts
British Common Law causing 70 years of disputes over water rights • 1850 - Squatters cut down the world's largest
Blossom Rock Redwoods and clearcut the groves on
Peralta and
Moraga's ranchos in Oakland hills •
1851-90 California Lands Commission - Mexican-American
Ranchos lost to whites • 1851 - Catholic Church attempts to get land for Mission tribes from California Lands Commission but fails • 1851-1890 -
Indians populations decimated • 1851 - Tribes Rounded up by U.S. Army and forced to
sign 18 treaties •
1850 Swamp Act - Enables
Henry Miller to eventually own over 1 million acres of land in the Central valley • 1853 - Americans cut Mother of the Forest causing international uproar • The
history of
Clearcutting in the
Sierra Nevada Mountains resulted in expanded flooding and
environmental degradation • 1853 - First documented American irrigation ditch constructed in Visalia, Tulare County • 1855 -
Van Ness ordinance - State adopts illegal grab of San Francisco lands • 1860 - San Francisco beats U.S. Government in Supreme Court over land claims • 1861 -
Chinese build Sacramento
Delta levees • 1862 -
Sacramento and levees destroyed by flooding - levees rebuilt • 1862 - Lincoln passes
Transcontinental Railroad Act giving away 140 million acres to railroad barons • 1862 -
Homestead Act allows adults who never took up arms against the government the right to claim 160 acres • May 14 - California legislation permits the formation of canal construction companies • 1866 - San Francisco wins
Supreme Court case and all illegal land takings • 1866 - The
University of California formed as
Land-grant university with the right to take public lands • 1866 - Mining Act included the right of miners to take public lands for ditches and dams • 1869 -
Transcontinental railroad completed - new immigration rush • 1869 - First systematic Irrigation was in Anaheim and Riverside • 1872 -
Desert Land Act allows irrigation and lands in the west • 1872 - California Irrigation Act passed by the state legislature allowing for cooperative water irrigation development. • 1872 -
US Mining Act • 1873 - Congress sets up the
Alexander Commission to design an irrigation system for the Central Valley. • 1874 - Alexander Commission report sent to congress in March • 1878 -
Workingmen's Party takes control of state government on an anti-railroad campaign • 1878 -
William Hammond Hall obtains $100,000 to produce statewide irrigation plan - project collapses • 1879 -
New Constitution for state passed by workingmen bans Southern Pacific R.R. lobbying • 1880 - Formation of
California Railroad Commission known today as the California Public Utilities Commission • 1884 - The use of
Hydraulic mining in gold mining of the
Sierra's damages Sacramento watershed and is forced to stop • 1886 -
Miller-Lux Cattle Ranch v. Tevis-Haggins water wars:
Riparian v.
Prior-appropriation water rights • 1887 - State of California establishes the Modesto Irrigation District • Mar 7 -
California Wright Act okays the formation of irrigation districts. It was renamed as the California Irrigation District Act in 1917. • 1890 - Canal Act reserved federal authority for
right of way to canals on public lands • 1898 - San Francisco passes Charter that calls for public ownership of transit, telephones, water and power • 1899 -
Elwood Mead is appointed by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture to carry out irrigation surveys • 1901 - Right to Construct Reservoirs by corporations on public lands •
1902 - National Reclamation Act passed that created the
United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) • 1902 - Tulare Irrigation District v. Shepard irrigation district legal dispute • 1905 - Owens valley water plan okayed by Los Angeles Water Commission • 1905 - $40 million statewide irrigation plan fails due to lack of financing support • 1905 -
Salton Sea created by irrigation diversion of Colorado River • 1907 - City of San Francisco votes to construct a water and power supply known as
Hetch Hetchy that is located Yosemite • 1911 - Constitutional Act - California Railroad Commission takes over regulatory role of cities for electric rates •
1913 - Water Commission Act attempts to sort out the state's water rights • 1913 - The
Raker Act passes, permitting
San Francisco to build a public water and power system at
Hetch Hetchy • 1915 - State Water Problems Conference set up holding hearings the following year - decision Riparian rights the problem • 1915 - California Irrigation Act declared unconstitutional by state supreme court • 1917 - California Hawson Bill provides relief to
water appropriator claims from Riparian Rights lawsuits • 1918-20 - State suffers severe drought • 1919 - Chief Hydrographer of the
USGS Robert Bradford Marshall sends report titled the "Irrigation of Twelve Million Acres in the Valley of California" to Governor
William Stephens Marshall is considered the father of the Central Valley Project • Jan 14 - The city of Oroville Ca. moves ahead with plan to purchase PG&E gas and power operations • Feb 3 - U.S. presidential candidate Senator Hiram Johnson is in favor of public ownership of electric utilities • Feb 18 - Glenn County Ca. considers formation of an Irrigation district to take advantage of planned Iron Mountain dam
1920 •
1920 Jan 4 - Sacramento Valley Irrigation Association calls for water congress at the Capital • Jan 10 - The
U.S. Corps of Engineers proposes 3 dams and a series of locks on the Sacramento River • Jan 14 - Western States request $250 million for irrigation projects • Jan 23 - The Yuba-Nevada-Sutter Water and Power Association established for 80,000 acre water and power project • Jan 23 - Santa Barbara plan to add powerhouse as way to pay for the city's Gibraltar dam project • Jan 24 -
Eureka Chamber of Commerce opposes proposed dam across
Eel River others opposed due to fishing impacts • Jan 29 - PG&E which relies heavily on hydro-electricity prepares emergency power plans due to lack of rainfall • Feb 8 - Interior Secretary
Franklin Lane requests $12.8 million for annual western irrigation funding • Feb 8 -
The Sacramento Union asks public to "Pray for rain" on the front page of its newspaper • Feb 11 -
Nevada County farmers protest PG&E's attempt to divert their water supplies at California Railroad Commission • Feb 24 - Miller & Lux legal fight against the Madera Irrigation District to take water from the San Joaquin River • Feb 25 - Major Water and Power rationing announced due to Northern California drought • Feb 26 - The Sacramento Valley water and irrigation congress asks governor to call a special legislative session on drought • Mar 13 - Proposal to build three powerhouses and divert
American River water for irrigation in
Placer County • Mar 25 - Ninety California power companies meet and agree to let state power administrator manage power during crisis • April 21 - PG&E announces plans to spend $15 Million in next two years on new power development • April 30 - Sacramento politicians call for takeover of PG&E's electric and transit system • May - The
National Electric Light Association releases its National Water power report • May 1 - PG&E announces $10 million plan to construct hydro-electric
dams on
Pit River • May 11 - The California Railroad Commission (CPUC) emergency plan opposed by the Association of Irrigation Districts of Northern California • May 13 - PG&E acknowledged during hearings that it used ratepayer money for political campaigns • May 17 -
Yolo County announces plan to create 100,000 acre irrigation district • May 18 - Proposal to construct dam across the
Carquinez Strait to stop saltwater incursions • May 27 - Impacts of
Clearcutting Sierra Nevada's Forests and flooding Central Valley made public • June 7 - Water wars between Northern California irrigation districts and
Contra Costa and Delta farmers over
salt water incursions • June 10 -
1920 Federal Water Power Act Signed into law that allows for expediting nationwide development of
hydro-electric projects on U.S. rivers • June 20 - PG&E applies to state railroad commission for rule changes to protect itself during power and water shortage • July 4 - U.S. War Department begins investigation of building 4 dams and mobile
locks on Sacramento River • July 10 - PG&E curtails afternoon water pumping in five irrigation districts • July 13 -
City of Antioch starts lawsuit against rice farmers that threatens Water supply • July 24 - The Madera Irrigation District starts the Madera dam project on
San Joaquin River which later becomes
Friant Dam • July 27 - California representative protests Nevada's plan to take
Lake Tahoe water • July 28 - 800,000 acres of
Miller-Lux land and water rights to be subdivided and sold to small farmers • July 31 - The Glenn-Colusa irrigation district announce plan for a 1 million acre reservoir in
Shasta county • Aug 5 - Irrigation companies organize their own plan for water development • Aug 15 - Colonel Robert B Marshall of USGS Plan introduced at Sacramento Valley Development Assoc. • Aug 24 - War Department's plan for four Dam dragged into lawsuit between Antioch and California rice farmers • Sept 26 - Major support for state Marshall Plan announced • Oct 7 - Carquinez Straights dam not feasible • Oct 11 - Court case between Rice farmers and Antioch continues • Oct 17 - Marshall Plan will ask state legislature for $500,000 survey • Oct 30 - The California State Irrigation Association expands its operations and support for statewide Marshall water plan • Nov 10 -
California League of Municipalities to cooperate in legislation on public power and water • Nov 11 - Valley Cities urged to develop public power • Nov 20 - Klamath Chamber of Commerce opens hearings on public vs. private power and water development • Nov 21 - Locals opposed to California-Oregon Power Company's
Klamath River power monopoly • Dec 21 - Giant Boulder Dam plan on Colorado River by Southern California Edison announced • 1920 PUC report on SVWCo
1921 •
1921 - The Municipal Utility District Act (MUD Act) passed by the California Legislature • Jan 5 - Marshall Plan proposes Shasta dam to be located at Kennett rather than Iron Mountain • Jan 7 - State Senator M.B Johnson introduces California Water and Power senate bill • Jan 7 – 13 years of bloodshed and litigation end with PG&E winning water rights • Jan 11 - The California State Irrigation Association and Sacramento Union promotes Marshall Plan review • Jan 21 - $500,000 for Marshall water plan study introduced at state legislature • Jan 29 - League of California Municipalities develop plan for public power legislation • Jan 29 - Sacramento City Attorney attacks California Railroad commission for bias towards PG&E • Jan 30 - Marshall Plan endorsement by League of California Municipalities • Feb 23 - Marshall Plan endorsed by Southern California municipalities • Mar 10 - The California State Irrigation Association sends Col. Marshall's list of 346 reservoir candidates to the League of California Municipalities • Mar 14 - Details of the Marshall Plan promoted by the California State Irrigation Association • Mar 15 - Municipal Utility District law results in heavy debate • Mar 20 - State, federal and global impacts on the passage of the
1920 Water and Power Act • Apr 2 - San Francisco Commonwealth Club opposes Marshall Plan during legislative hearings in Sacramento • Apr 2 - Attempt by electric company supporter to kill Johnson's Water and Power Bill fails in Senate • Apr 21 - Growing concern in San Joaquin Valley over Southern California power companies taking hydro-electric sites • Apr 22 - Marshall Plan for Sacramento River irrigation survey given $200,000 by legislature • Apr 26 - Johnson Power & Water Bill 397 loses by 4 votes in assembly committee • Apr 28 - Municipal Utility District Act passed by state senate • Apr 30 - Sacramento Union editorial calls for statewide vote after electric company lobby kills Johnson Power Bill • May 4 - Sacramento City Commission resolution calls for emergency meeting of League of California Municipalities (248 cities)over Johnson bill • May 9 - Sacramento City Attorney says public ownership could reduce electric rates from 8 cents to .8 cent • May 17 - Sacramento City Commission report on building its own hydro-electric site on Silver Creek • May 20 - Plan set up for statewide public power initiative at emergency meeting of League of California Municipalities • May 20 - California State Irrigation Association endorses Marshall plan and Municipal League's statewide vote • May 24 - Governor signs Municipal Utility District Act into law • June 4 - $200,000 survey fund for Marshall Plan signed by governor • July 1 - Miller and Lux loses its lawsuit to stop the Madera Irrigation District from using water from the San Joaquin river • July 22 - Summary of the proposed Water and Power Act is modeled like the Ontario Canada hydro-electric system • July 27 - State Water & Power Act initiative petition drive announced • July 28 - Sacramento City Attorney Robert Shinn comes out against statewide Water and Power initiative • Aug 4 - Riverside Chamber of Commerce circulates claim of "City Against Country" over Los Angeles public power • Aug 29 - Committee redraft of initiative accepted by Shinn with petition gathering for 120,000 signatures to begin • Sept 29 - California state control of water and power urged by former Interior Secretary Gifford Pinchot • Sept 14 - $500 million public Water and Power plan will be on the 1922 election • Nov 15 - state funded Marshall survey of water resources begins • Nov 22 - Water and Power initiative attacked by state senator • Dec 29 - Herbert Hoover placed in charge of Colorado River Commission that is reviewing plan for Boulder dam • Dec 29 - State railroad commission okays PG&E plan for $5 million to expand its Pit River hydro-electric developments • Dec 31 - Water & Power Initiative qualifies for November 1922 statewide ballot
1922-1932 •
1922 Jan 1 - World's highest dam proposed at Boulder Canyon • Jan 6 - The Water and Power Initiative qualifies for the November 1922 ballot • Jan 22 - PG&E front group "Greater California League" attacks water and power act • Feb 23 - Antioch decides to build reservoirs to store water to counter summer salt-water incursions • Feb 24 - PG&E president attacks water and power act initiative at Modesto Progressive men's Business club • Mar 7 - California State Irrigation Association comes out against water and power initiative • Mar 17 - Boulder (Hoover) Dam okayed • Apr 1 - Summary of the Water and Power Act debate held by the Commonwealth Club of California • Apr 2 - Application for major Shasta water diversion by engineers from San Joaquin Light & Power company • Apr 16 - Full page attack against Water and Power act published by S.F. Chronicle • Apr 30 - San Francisco Chronicle claims water and Power act is an attempt to "foist communism on people" • May 4 - Supreme Court to rule on PG&E ratebase inclusion of $52 million decision by state railroad commission • Jun 11 - Robert Marshall comes out against the Water and power act (he later reverses himself) • Sep 28 - Water and Power Act leader,
Rudolph Spreckels blames power companies for his ouster at bank • Sep 30 - First phase in PG&E's $100 million Pit River hydro-electric project turned on • Oct 2 - Riverside Daily Press prints story that lies about Rudolph Spreckels and power and water act history • Proposition 19 - Water and Power Initiative Summary and full wording • Nov 9 - Proposition 19 (Water and Power Act) loses (243,604 to 597,453) • Nov - 1922 Water and power Act initiative fails due to $3 million dollar electric industry PR campaign • Water & Power Act electric company fraud investigated in 1934 by FTC. Testimony placed expenditure at over $1 million against initiative - working on cite - • Dec 1 - Water Power Act supporters plan for a new initiative attempt for 1924 •
1923 Feb - California media fails to expose $14,000 bribe, uncovered during senate investigation, to California State Irrigation Association by electric front group for reversing support of water and power initiative • Feb 12 - State Senate investigation exposes opponents spent $234,000 to stop the Water and Power initiative • Feb 13 - San Francisco Civic League of Improvement given $4,000 to distribute 200,000 flyers against Water and Power initiative • Feb 13 - Former SF Mayor and labor leader given $10,000 to oppose initiative while unions were all for it • Feb 13 - Southern California newspaper reports $393,000 spent against water and power initiative • Feb 16 - New PG&E filings with senate investigation place total spent against water and power initiative at over $500,000 • Feb 24 - P.H. McCarthy forced to resign from San Francisco Trades Council due to his role in water and power initiative • Feb - Senate Hearings Summary - 1934 12-12 - Federal Trade Commission Investigation: pg 268-273 of 1922 initiative • July 23 - Sacramento County voters form the
Sacramento Municipal Utility District. • 1924 Proposition 16 Water and Power Summary and full text • Sept 3 - Col. Robert Marshall comes out in favor of power and water initiative • Sept 6 - Arguments for and against Prop 16, the water and power act with Robert Marshall making the for statement • Oct 28 – Robert Marshall speaks in favor of Water and Power Act • Nov – California Municipalities League attempt at Water & Power fails again •
1925 June 20 - San Francisco board of supervisors illegally sells Hetch Hetchy power to PG&E • Note - Add link to actual propositions from hastings... • 1926 Proposition 18 Water and Power summary and full text •
1926 - California Water & Power Initiative fails for 3rd time •
1927 - Cal Bulletin #18 Cal irrigation District Laws •
1929 - $390,000 authorized to investigate state's water resources •
1930 - Federal-State Water Resources Commission report proposes federal project •
1931 - state water plan legislature report proposing new CVP plan • Jan 30 - The Hoover-Young Commission report estimate that state water plan will cost $374 million
1933-1939 •
1933 Mar. 4 -
Franklin D. Roosevelt sworn in as president includes major public works projects • July 8 - Bureau of Reclamation (
USBR) okays funding for Central Valley Act (CVP) • Jul 15 - Details of CVP legislation announced with plan to cooperate with
USBR • Jul 20 - CVP bill stalls in legislature when rules committee blocks it • Jul 22 - CVP legislation revived in state senate after federal support promised • July 27 - California Legislature votes for CVP Act assembly passing it 58-9 senate passes vote 23-15. • Aug - PG&E funds petition drive for referendum that was run by a company lawyer named Aherne • Aug 5 - Governor signs $170 million CVP Act into law • Dec 15 - Local state representative urges a yes vote on CVP while large PG&E opposed is to the right of article • Dec 15 - SF Chamber of Commerce openly opposes CVP Act • Dec 17 - CVP special election debate pros and cons along with map of project • Dec 19 - Voter Information Guide for Proposition One - CVP special election • Dec 19 - CVP referendum to go ahead wins 459,712 for to 426,109 • Dec 21 - Great Water Project vote increases CVP vote status • CVP victory due to dead Catalina cow with Slovenian community vote over fisherman's felony conviction • 1933 - SF Labor Council obtains PG&E political expenditures report to state • 1933 - PG&E spent $275,737.18 on political and other donations according to State Railroad Commission •
1934 Nov 6 -
Sacramento, CA votes to form
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and purchase PG&E properties with $12 million in bonds •
1935 Jan 2 - PG&E files suit to try to overturn the formation of SMUD and its buyout of PG&E • Dec 2 -
USBR takes over CVP, loans $4.2 million - new estimate increases to $228 million source 1942 CVP Writers Project Dec 2 - USBR regulations stipulate that water only be given out to farmers with 160 acres of land or less - see 4-7-1944 •
1936 June 22 - Sacramento and San Joaquin Flood Control Studies okayed by Rivers and Harbors Act 1936 • Sept 12 - Ceremonies at Kennett for
Shasta Dam • Oct 19 -
Contra Costa Canal Work begins • Oct 22 - Governor hears $477 million CVP plan •
1938 Mar 2 - State water authority commissioner opposed to agreement between PG&E and SMUD • Jul 6 - contract $35.9 million for Shasta reservoir given •
1939 - Fortune Magazine Map of PG&E territory • Nov 5 - Construction of $8.7 million
Friant Dam begins • Nov 27 - Pacific Gas & Electric Co. proposes to buy and distribute all of Shasta Dam power
1940-1944 •
1940 - US v. San Francisco Interior Sec. Ickes wins case to force San Francisco via the
Raker Act to stop its sale of
Hetch Hetchy water to PG&E • Jan 7 - California legislature blocks Governor Olson proposal to unfreeze $170 CVP Bonds • Jan 22 - Interior Sec.
Ickes advises state to set up Public utility market for Shasta at half PG&E prices • Jan 24 - The Water Project Authority of California votes to delay Olson $50 million bond proposal until new study is done • Jan 27 - Governor Olson opens legislative session with request for CVP Power bonds • Jan 30 - Madera Irrigation District calls for vote about governor Olson's $50 million CVP bond proposal • Feb 14 - Governor Olson and CVP senate supporters fail to get $50 million funding out of committee • Feb 28 — State Water Project Authority creates four new jobs along with survey money from legislature allotment • Mar 12 - U.S. Senate approves $5 million for CVP • May 3 - Federal request for $191 million, including over $25 million to California for flood control following wet winter • July 8 - First concrete poured at Shasta Dam • Jul 22 - Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers diverted as work on CVP dams get underway • Aug 20 - CVP Contra Costa canal delivers first water to city of Pittsburg • Sep 25 - CVP will irrigate 3 million acres and allow for increased Central Valley population • Oct 5 - Madera Tribune posts photo of
USBR's Friant Dam construction • Oct 19 - President Roosevelt signs rivers and harbors authorization bill (HR9972)with funds for CVP but includes limitation • Nov 27 - Governor Olson goes to Washington to propose federal takeover of CVP due to state funding opposition • Dec 6 - Another CVP dam proposed south of Shasta dam near Iron Mountain • Dec 19 - Governor Olson obtains support for his CVP plan after meeting with president Roosevelt • Dec 21 - State water commission requests a federal delay on PG&E's request for hyro work near Shasta dam •
1941 Jan 8 - state senate proposal to expand the size of the CVP project to include Sacramento Valley • Jan 20 - Congressional oversight of $446 million CVP project based on
TVA model is ready • Feb 14 - CVP contracts have helped companies in 40 different U.S. states • Feb 21 - $50 million CVP federal funding in exchange for PG&E Feather River power • Mar 20 - The state water authority budgets $200,000 for CVP work, including cooperative federal projects • Apr 17 - Interior Secretary Ickes prepares legislation for federal oversight of the CVP • Apr 30 - Congress approves a $34.7 million budget for CVP • May 22 - State legislature agrees to include funding for CVP electricity • Jul 28 - The CVP project is made a national defense priority with sped up on
Keswick Dam contracts to start in August • July 30 - Central Valley Indian Lands Acquisition Act promised to pay for all Wintu lands covered by Shasta dam • Jul 31 - FDR signs CVP legislation that takes tribal lands that will be submerged by Shasta and Friant dams • Aug 12 - First major contract for the $12.5 million Keswick dam awarded • Sep 17 - CVP statistical report says 1.7 million acre feet of water being diverted from Sacramento River • Oct 22 - $319,802 contract for 6 miles of
Contra Costa Canal awarded • Dec 30 - Regional director of the
USBR, Charles E. is Carey selected by Ickes to develop market search for CVP power customers •
1942 Jan 8 - CVP Shasta and Friant are the 2nd and 4th world's largest dams and rapidly being completed for the war • Feb 26 - CVP's chief engineer gives detailed status report on CVP to Madera citizens • Mar 20 -
PG&E offers to buy all CVP power during House Appropriation Committee hearings • Mar 25 - House committee deletes $15 million for transmission lines and CVP steam plant • Mar 26 - Rep.
Voorhis exposes prominent reason PG&E is behind blocking CVP power lines as Sacramento wants to break away from PG&E and buy power at a cheaper rate • Mar 26 - PG&E gets permission from Federal Power Commission to build steam plant to block
USBR's Antioch facility • Nov 13 - Shasta dam nearly ready - construction work photo • Nov 21 - Major segments of the CVP project halted by the
War Production Board including transmission lines and Friant Dam PG&E allowed to take over CVP power at Shasta • Nov 27 - state railroad commission sets price of PG&E electric property in Sacramento at $11.6 million • Dec 22 - Ag Association spokesperson threatens city over city's push to buy power from CVP •
1943 Jun 9 - $30.9 million funds sought for CVP as war power needs expanding • Jun 19 - War Powers Board okays CVP
Friant-Kern Canal funding • Jul 20 - CVP Shasta to Oroville power line bids opened • Sep 2 - Interior Secretary Ickes' order to build CVP transmission line attacked by Rep. Carter who represents Tulare county but lives in Oakland • Sep 8 - San Francisco sends resolution to War Production Board calling for urgent completion of
Friant-Kern Canal • Sep 24 - CVP coordinator announces operational schedules including Friant dam diversion to start in 1944 • Sept 28 - Ickes announces PG&E contract to buy all Shasta dam power agreed to • Dec 29 - War Production Board refuses to fund the CVP's
Friant-Kern Canal •
1944 Jan 14 - 90 year dream - Shasta reservoir is filling up • Apr 7 - CVP coordinator will follow federal law and block big farms from obtaining CVP water • Apr 14 - Madera Tribune calls Interior Secretary Ickes "Little Harold" over CVP following federal water use rules • May 2 - Madera Tribune attacks "
Oakies" and Interior Secretary "Little Harold" Ickes as a
Czarist for retaining 160 acre water limit • May 12 - President Roosevelt supports 40 year old 160 acre federal rule that CVP water will only go to small farmers • Jun 8 - State Senate committee wants 160 acre limit lifted • June 26 - Shasta dam starts producing Power from two generators • Jul 20 - Quarter page PG&E Ad promotes its takeover of CVP power • Jul 24 - Hearings begin on the federal 160 acre water limit campaign by wealthy farmers • Jul 25 - PG&E starts taking Shasta dam power for resale • July 26 - Sacramento phase of hearings end. Federal laws will not be broken say federal authorities - for wealthy interests • Jul 30 - Week long CVP hearings in Bakersfield held by Senate subcommittee on irrigation - 160 acre water limit attacked • Oct 11 - War Production Board reverses itself and delays work on
Friant-Kern Canal • Elliot Amendment to the Harbors and Rivers Act attempts to remove 160 acre water limit of the 1902 Reclamation Act fails
1945 •
1945 Jan 2 -
USBR proposes spending $600 million for CVP • Mar 22 - Rural congressional representatives want more control over CVP but don't want to pay for the system • Apr 12 -
USBR proposes spending $836 million on CVP • Jun 4 - The state Chamber of Commerce promotes the takeover of the Central valley project when completed • Jun 8 - Chairman of the Central Valley Project Congress advocates cheap power development for San Joaquin Vallery farmers • Jul 18 - state water authority funded to evaluate possibility of purchasing the $340 million CVProject • Sep 6 - New 300 page CVP report calls for dramatic $527 million increase to project for total of $735 million (map) • Sep 27 - The wartime ban on construction will end in October with $15 million available to start on
Friant Dam • Oct 30 - Attack on federal limits to CVP water for farms less than 160 acres is actually 320 leaving out only giant operations • Nov 24 -
USBR introduces CVP plan to Congress with 38 proposed dams • Nov 26 - CVP funding ends up in hostile subcommittee that cuts all transmission and power funding • Nov 27 - U.S. House appropriations committee cuts budge for transmission lines for CVP • Nov 29 - Chamber of Commerce hears claim that federal control over the CVP is totalitarian • Nov 30 - SF Chronicle promotes Mendota 42,000 acre family farmer's opinion that employs 400 regular and 1,000 Mexican migratory workers • Dec 7 - Two day statewide water conference begins with fighting over 160 acre ban • Dec 8 - The first statewide water conference in 18 years is moderated by Governor Warren - the war of big vs. small farmers • Dec 26 - Madera Tribune's attempt to be neutral about the 160 acre fight
1946-1949 •
1946 Apr 5 - small town newspaper uses front group to call Dept. of Public Works communistic for funding CVP project • Apr 9 - 96,000 acre feet of Friant dam water released in March 1946 for irrigation of valley • May 3 - President Truman announces plan to expand scope of CVP • Jun 18 - CVP obtains $20 million funding for most of its projects • Jun 22 - Sacramento Municipal Utility District $10.5 million in bonds to purchase PG&E vote agreed to • Jun 26 - U.S. Senate funding for CVP reduced from $225 million to $12.5 million • Sep 24 - PG&E announces $160 million budget to expand power output • Nov 30 - Interior Sec. Krug says need for water and power from CVP being held up by "one or two large corporations" •
1947 Jan 6 - Republican control of state legislature results in funding for only a CVP study • Jan 6 - Democrats push investigation of monopolist takeover of CVP • Feb 14 - President Truman requests $30 million including $5 million for CVP transmission lines for the next fiscal year • Feb 19 - If the 160 acre law is banned 20 giant Central Valley companies will get water monopoly • Feb 20 - Small farmers and labor oppose repeal of CVP 160 acre water limit • Feb 27 - 61% of $384 million CVP costs will be paid by electric sales • Mar 17 - Senator introduces bill to exempt CVP from
USBR's 160 acre ban • Jun 3 - Sixteen day 160 acre ban hearing by Senate ends, no action taken • Jul 28 - $29 million CVP budget split between
Army Corps and
U.S.B.R. with $1.5 million for transmission lines • Sep 18 - CVP project funding and speed to increased with hope to complete entire project by 1950 • Dec 3 - Governor Warren seeks emergency CVP funding • Dec 23 - $11.4 million emergency funds for CVP project granted as senator tries to get CVP head fired over 160 acre ban •
1948 Jan 12 - President Truman submits a $42 Million CVP budget for next year • Jan 15 - Proposal to expand CVP to
American River • Jan 22 - San Joaquin Valley farmers sign 19 contracts for 320,000 acre feet of water • Feb 25 - with another drought, the Stale Water Project authority requests $55.6 million for CVP • Mar 5 -
USBR will seek Truman veto if California republican try to overthrow 160 acre ban • Mar 18 - two farm groups on opposite of the 160 acre debate • Jun 5 - Governor Warren supports CVP transmission system - see confusion headline • Jul 6 - CVP budget for 1948-49 year set at $68.5 million • Jul 19 - New CVP work to include expansion of Shasta dam power
Klamath River and Santa Barbara projects • Aug 6 - $50 million fund sought to buy up large farms and resell them to small farmers • Oct 7 - Chamber of Commerce threatens legal fights over CVP's reclamation laws • Oct 13 - Interior Secretary Krug warns farmers that California electric companies are blocking CVP project • Nov 30 - State Water Project Authority urges 160 acre law removal •
1949 - Map of Central Valley Cotton producers • Mar 30 - Major Congressional victory as subcommittee okays transmission lines as part of CVP $53.5 million budget • Jul 2 - Cal. Assembly funds study to buy CVP • Jul 9 - 15,000 attend Governor Warren's release of Friant dam water into San Joaquin valley • Jul 11 - Media says 100 years in the making as 20,000 people attend opening of $58 million
Friant-Kern Canal • Jul 13 - US Senate boosts CVP annual funding to $60.8 million • Jul 21 - Senator Downey (R-CA) demands investigation of
USBR and it continued 160 acre ban • Aug 2 - Congress tentatively agrees to fund two more CVP canals for $20–40 million • Aug 25 - Madera Tribune writes highly manipulative article suggesting Public Power advocates had increased funding yet story details how Senator Knowland (R-Ca) amendment stripped transmission funding • Aug 30 - President Truman proposes $1 billion CVP expansion for 38 dams and 25 power facilities • Sep 27 - Friant dam is fourth largest dam in world - details of history and construction • Sep 27 - U.S. Senate okays CVP addition of $110 million for American River development • Nov 14 -
USBR plans to begin moving water from Sacramento Valley into the San Joaquinn Valley in 1951 • Dec 2 - CVP deal contract with Madera Irrigation District almost settled
1950-1954 •
1950 Feb 3 - Gov Warren supports $69 million CVP budget for 1951 • Mar 16 - California house members cut $4 million of power project out of CVP budget • Apr 14 - The Agricultural Council of California calls the
USBR's public power operations socialist • May 8 - Warning that government should withdraw from CVP if 160 acre ban on water rights removed • Jun 17 - PG&E attacked by Governor Warren for blocking CVP projects during Shasta Dam dedication • Sep 19 - Detailed overview of how CVP works and impacts to Madera Irrigation District 1951 Jan 3 - CVP and state agree to keep grasslands flooded to protect migratory birds • Apr 20 - $18.3 of the $33.8 million CVP annual budget earmarked for Friant-Kern Canal • May 13 - Friant-Kern Canal completed • Jul 5 - The California legislature passes legislation to build the Oroville dam and power facilities as part of the CVP system • Aug 1 - Shasta Dam starts sending water into CVP canals • Aug 8 - Friant dam ceremony exposes new rift as state court orders excess water released as tactic to flood aquifer • Sep 13 - PG&E advertisement claim that 55% of all Central Valley water comes from aquifers by electric pumps • Sep 25 - Madera Tribune does extended coverage of CVP as major milestone in project is completed with historic map • Sep 25 - History of the Reclamation Act as part of Madera Tribune celebration issue • Sep 25 - Unnamed (big) farmers take Madera Irrigation District water contract with
USBR to court •
1952 Feb 23 -
USBR proposes CVP Power plan that would takeover local PG&E project and spark major growth in Fresno • Mar 1 -
USBR reports 1951 income of $8 million from water sales for 1951 • Mar 21 - $34.9 million budget okayed by congress for construction activities • May 2 - Sixteen large farmers representing 14,000 acres agree to take CVP water and eventually abide by 160 acre rule • Dec 13 - SMUD makes contract to buy CVP power from
USBR • California legislature appropriated $10 million for investigation into state purchase of CVP •
1953 Jan 9 - President Truman asks for $83 million for CVP construction • Jan 10 – 110 foot coffer dam at CVP's $58 million Folsom dam breached - no deaths from flooding • Jan 24 - Madera Tribune enraged that
USBR signs a long-term contract to sell 17% of CVP excess power to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District • Jan 28 - Lawsuit to stop all major water diversions a threat to the CVP • Apr 23 - House Committee headed by Ca. representatives cuts $7 million from $19 million CVP budget, all from power projects • May 20 -
USBR request to senate that it reinstates $7 million pulled from CVP's power and transmission budget • May 28 - State legislature tries to block irrigation district contracts with
USBR • Sep 26 - Full details of the size and cost of
Friant dam - the 4th largest concrete dam in world • Dec 28 - Republicans, corporate farms and state Chamber of Commerce push for state to buy CVP from Interior Dept. •
1954 BR report: Four dams, five canals and other systems have been completed at a cost of $435.4 million • Jan 21 - President Eisenhower asks for $70.4 million CVP budget • May 4 PG&E offers to buy CVP power and facilities for $130 million cash • Aug 27 - Central Valley Project Act Reauthorization • Sep 10 - Proposal for $230 million San Luis segment of the CVP announced includes map
1955-1959 •
1955 Feb 21 - PG&E makes proposal to buy CVP power from Trinity dam for $3.5 million a year • Apr 14 - US BR ignores PG&E's proposal to take over the electric system of the $219 million Trinity dam • Jul 14 - Urgent need for more water results in Trinity project moving ahead as San Luis project not ready • Jul 16 - CVP $15 million budget for 1956 will be to complete
Folsom Dam and being work on
Trinity Dam •
1956 May 21 - Congress appropriates $83 million for irrigation with $20 million going to Central Valley projects including a
Tulare Lake dam • Jul 19 - US BR announces plans to construct the
Glen Canyon Dam and $42 million for five CVP projects for 1957 •
1957 - Fear based 28 minute video pushing to expand state expansion of water project • Feb 20 - PG&E attacks republican senators opposition to PG&E's proposal for joint construction of Trinity Dam project • Jun 13 - $88 million for California was given but excluded all funding for transmission systems • Oct 14 - U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear the USBR's 160-acre ban on big water users • Oct 29 - 5 million acre feet a year being extracted from Central Valley's aquifer • Nov 1 - CVP's Feather River project considered world's largest engineering project •
1958 Jan 23 - PG&E agrees to renegotiate rates it charges for CVP power after report discloses company's rate manipulation • Feb 5 - Interior Secretary Fred A. Seaton recommends that PG&E be allowed to takeover Trinity Dam power • Mar 5 - CVP Plan to add 2 million acre feet of water in San Joaquin Valley endorsed • May 26 - Proposal for San Luis Canal project and 500,000 acres of land in western Merced, Fresno and Kings counties • Jun 9 - Congress okays $42 million budget for coming CVP's next fiscal year • Jun 23 - U.S. Supreme Court reverses state supreme court in upholding the 160-acre ban on USBR water to large users • Oct 15 - Total of 444,000 Kilowatts of CVP power being transfer to PG&E •
1959 Feb 13 - PG&E plan to build "cream skimmer" transmission lines between Bonneville and CVP attacked • Mar 18 - representative
James B. Utt introduces legislation to turn all Trinity Dam power over to PG&E • Apr 27 - Two more dams proposed for CVP project • May 12 - Governor Brown releases breakdown on where $1.75 billion funding for State Water Project will go to • Jun 3 - Congress okays $103 Million with $43 to USBR and $59.8 to Corps of Engineers for state irrigation and flooding • Oct 21 - California
Grange opposed to state takeover of
Oroville Dam and giving PG&E control of
Trinity Dam electricity • Jul 9 - Governor Brown signs $1.75 billion state water bond law that includes 735 foot high
Oroville Dam • Sep 30 - Interior Department signs two new contracts with PG&E for 629,000 Kilowatts of CVP electricity from four dams • Sep 30 - Madera Irrigation District opposed Fresno plan to take San Joqauin River surplus water • Sep 30 - Interior Department extends PG&E contracts for CVP Power up to April 1971
1960-1969 •
1960 State and
USBR cooperation Agreement • Jul 1 - Congress okays $61 million CVP budget •
1961 Feb 2 - State takes first step in $400 State Water Project • Aug 10 - History of EBMUD and the November 1959 $1.7 billion state water project vote •
1962 - May 17 - $27 million joint CVP funding project proposed •
1963 - Corps of Engineers dredges the
Sacramento Deep Water Ship Channel to the port of Sacramento. • Jan 18 - Congress to propose $106 million annual CVP Budget • Mar 2 - Governor Brown Announced $325 Million plan to fund state water project • May 24 - State Senate votes against Governor Brown's proposal to fund state plan with bonds • June 11 - Attempts by Republicans to kill the sale of $325 million in bonds for state water project fails • Dec 15 - Extended summary of all the state's new water plans laid out in series of articles by agency •
1964 Jan 13 - SMUD, EBMud and growing construction of dams background story on state water expansion • Jan 21 - Utility Districts across the state will benefit from expansion of the state water project (map of state plan) • Jan 22 - $112 million annual CVP budget proposed to congress with state to include $42 million for San Luis •
1965 - Inter-agency Delta Committee recommendation for Peripheral Canal and Delta facilities • Jan 14 - City of Santa Clara asked LBJ for direct access to CVP vs. PG&E power • July 23 - $5 billion San Luis Reservoir segment of the CVP begins construction • Aug 4 - PG&E Hydro-electric project connects 3 rivers near Shasta • Aug 6 - Auburn-Folsom Project goes before congress for funding • Sept 16 - Governor Brown request $188 million for CVP funding •
1966 Jan 25 - President Johnson asks Congress for $100 million CVP annual budget • Mar 11 - 21st Century water shortage predicted if system not expanded • Apr 3 - State water project good until 1990 but won't handle predicted 54 million population expected by 2020 • Apr 26 - State seeks $164 million from feds for CVP's 1967 fiscal year •
1967 Jan 13 - CVP produces record 5.3 billion kilowatts hours of electricity in 1966 • Jan 25 - President Johnson withholds $34 million for CVP's San Luis project • Oct 6 - State Water Project's Oroville Dam and Reservoir are completed • Oct 18 - State Assemblyman seeks $600 million in Bonds for the state's water project •
1968 Feb 8 - State budgets $425 million for state's water project • Apr 19 - CVP's
San Luis Reservoir dedicated • May 16 - $468 million cut to proposed on CVP's
Auburn Dam project • Dec 28 - Interior Dept. okays new CVP plan along east side of valley •
1969 - State Water Project obtains emergency loan from state treasury as inflation rates have dried up funding from bond sales • 1969 - The Harvey O. Banks Delta Pumping Plant and John E. Skinner Fish Facility are completed by
DWR 1970-1979 •
1970 Mar 15 - Army Corps of Engineers announces construction of 625 foot high
New Melones Dam • Apr 30 - Governor Reagan promotes $209 million 43 mile long, 400 foot wide
Peripheral Canal plan •
1971 Jan 29 - Nixon administration proposes $150 million for state water projects • Feb 15 -
NCPA files
Writ with
CPUC to stop PG&E power contract with
SMUD for
Rancho Seco surplus power • Mar 18 -
Sierra Club files lawsuit to shut down the CVP • Jul 23 -
California State Water Resources Control Board sets CVP water quality standards. • Jul 30 - California Water Resources Association attacks passage of Wild and Scenic Rivers legislation • Oct 8 - New association of state agencies formed to promote water projects •
1972 Jan 20 - Labor Leader says 45 corporations with 3.7 million acres gets illegal
USBR water subsidies • May 25 - Proposition 9 ban on nuclear development will endanger CVP says California Water Resources Association • Aug 10 - $4.9 million CVP contract for 25 of 188 mile long San Luis drain awarded • Dec 7 -
GAO study says big landowners received $1.5 billion CVP water subsidy •
1973 - legislation funds new Delta levees • Feb 9 - Nixon administration blocks $2 million in CVP funds okayed by Congress •
1974 Feb 14 - History of Peripheral canal plan dates to 1964 • Jul 11 - 29,000-acre Giffen Inc. broken up and sold to comply with 160-acre
USBR rules • Sept 25 - Environmental review for 43 mile long Peripheral canal released •
1975 Sept 4 -
Healdsburg joins 10
NCPA other cities to obtain its own electricity •
1976 Jan 28 -
USBR says there will be enough water for the year as drought continues • Mar 24 - 59 farmers file $33 million lawsuit against CVP and
SWP for 1974 flood damages • Apr 22 - Eight mile Pacheco tunnel from San Luis reservoir to Santa Clara started •
1977 -
Department of Water Resources supports Peripheral Canal as best way move water to the Delta • Feb 8 -
USBR announces plan to cut CVP water by up to 75% due to drought • Feb 25 - Westland's Land Dynamics Inc. pleads guilty and fined $10,000 for conspiracy to violate land sale rules • Apr 17 - President Carter stops 15 water projects including review of CVP • Apr 21 - Salyer Land and J.G. Boswell Cos. (cotton growers) propose buying $45 million
Pine Flat Dam to bypass 160-acre rule • Sept 15 - Assembly votes 56-22 in favor of SB 346 Peripheral Canal legislation • Sept 16 - Senate votes down Governor Brown's $4.2 billion Peripheral Canal proposal • Oct 6 -
USBR lost $74 million between 1971 and April 1976 for underpricing electricity sold to PG&E • Nov 5 - 529 page federal report says
USBR has failed to breakup corporate ownership in Westlands over 160 acre limit on water subsidies • Nov 5 - Government task force report documents $2.7 billion water subsidy to CVP farmers at taxpayers expense • Dec 11 - The Chandler family's L.A. Times caught in conflict of Interest over newspaper's attack on 160-acre limit as family owns major investments in
Tejon Ranch and
J.G. Boswell Company • Dec 19 - California v. U.S. Supreme Court case over control of discharge rights •
1978 -
California State Water Resources Control Board releases Water Rights Decision 1485 (D-1485) requiring Delta water quality • Jan 6 - Call for one year moratorium over 160-acre ban ruling and Interior Dept decision • Jan 26 - CVP water rates too cheap as study shows project will be $8.8 billion in debt by 2037 • Feb 8 - PG&E making 800% profit on CVP power it buys • Feb 20 -
Federal Land Bank of Sacramento ignores 160-acre CVP rlimit rule when issuing loans to large farmers • Mar 18 - Sec. of Interior urges cooperative operations - state charges $22 vs. CVP charging $3.50 per acre foot of water • July 4 - US Supreme Court rules in favor of state over right to enforce environmental regulations • Sep 20 - Lobbyists for Salyer Land and J.G. Boswell Cos. who own 150,000-acres of cotton lands paid $165,000 to fight 160-acre limit • Nov 8 - Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 742l; 92 Stat. 3110) -- Public Law 95-616 updates CVP Act • Nov 21 - Westlands Irrigation District legal Budget for 1979 set at $549,000 to fight the federal government •
1979 Jan 3 - Dept. of Interior agrees to abide by state's environmental quality rules • Jan 16 - Bill to allocate $50 Million for state water project including money for Peripheral canal introduced • Feb 25 - J.G. Boswell investigated for secret contract by Grand Jury with Cotton Inc. (lobby firm) $113 million 10 year budget • Mar 8 - US Dept. of Agriculture expands probe of Boswell-Cotton Inc. $60,000 annual contract for
Cotton Board research and promotion • Mar 11 - Westlands Irrigation District hires Washington lawfirm of
Williams & Connolly to represent their 160-acre legal fight • Mar 22 - Senate hearings open on the Reclamation Reform Act of 1979 - to replace the 160-acre limit for
USBR water • Mar 23 - Western water war erupts over hundreds of millions of acres of subsidized lands with call to change 160-acre limitation • Apr 13 - Support for study calling for 200 foot increase of Shasta Dam • Oct 11 - Regional battle between farmers and environmentalists hold up dams and Peripheral Canal plans
1980-1989 •
1980 Mar 13 - State legislature passes SB200 Peripheral Canal act opposed by ecologists • Oct 18 - Santa Clara power users sue agency for $18 million over rates •
1981 Oct 21 - CVP proposal to sell power to city of Healdsburg announced •
1982 - Voters defeat the Peripheral Canal initiative - Proposition 9 • Apr 29 - Santa Cruz to do study on takeover of PG&E power grid • Apr 30 - Healdsburg to start buying CVP power from Westeran Area Power Administration • May 4 - Healdsburg breaks from PG&E power • August 4 - PG&E claims Healdsburg owes them $62,000 as city goes for public power •
1983 Oct 2 - Republicans moves away from conservation on Central Valley water •
1984 May 5 - National Wildlife Federation says
USBR under collected water fees by $10 billion • Nov 16 - Federal plan to dump Central Valley waste water into Pacific attacked •
1985 Mar 30 - Interior Dept plan to stop dumping Central Valley toxics into Kesterson • Aug 21 - CVP has made $1.5 billion in illegal subsidies to giant ag farms • Sep 10 - House passes on cooperative agreement between CVP and
SWP •
1986 - DWR-
USBR Coordinated Operation Agreement, agreed to by Congress. • Nov 27 - Ceremony held in Sacramento on agreement between CVP and
SWP •
1987 -
State Water Board starts revision of D-1485 after U.S. EPA calls plan inadequate. •
1988 -
Suisun Marsh salinity control gates start up. • May 28 - 2nd Dry year starting to impact CVP water supply •
1989 - EPA lists Sacramento River Chinook salmon as threatened • Feb 16 -
USBR announces 25-50% reduction in water availability due to 3 year drought • May 3 - USBR investigation of expanding Tehama-Colusa Canal • June 23 - PG&E loses court case over its refusal to transmit power to public agencies
1990-1999 •
1990 Feb 16 - 4th year of drought expected to cause cutbacks in water to users • Jul 15 - $150 million environmental CVP legislation angers farmers and PG&E •
1991 -
State Water Board produces Bay-Delta salinity control plan but partially rejected by the EPA • Construction completed on four south Delta pumping facilities • Jan 30 - 800 attend statewide meeting on water crisis solutions • Feb 13 - Water Rights issue grow as 5th year of drought calls for 50% farm water cutbacks • Feb 15 - Water crisis worst since 1945, CVP to drain all reservoirs with up 75% restrictions in use • Mar 16 - Recent storms reduce water crisis but orders for reduced use to hold •
1992 - The Central Valley Project Improvement Act mandated the balancing of water, pricing and distribution policies • Jan 1 - U.S. Corps of Engineers releases environmental plan for 3,400 acre Yolo Country wildlife refuge • Feb 13 - Bush administration submits $906 million
USBR budget for 1993 including CVP • Oct 30 - Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 199—Public Law 102-575 • Nov 18 - New federal legislation will give Yolo and Solano County CVP water •
1993 - A documented
indicator species, the
Delta smelt is listed as threatened (goes to endangered in 2009) • 1993 - Save San Francisco Bay Association's Barry Nelson calls the CVP "the biggest single environmental disaster ever to strike California." • Feb 18 -
USBR open new office to oversee 1992 CVP Improvement Act • Dec 17 - Governor Wilson attacks federal plans to withhold water for environment •
1994 Feb 16 - Drought response results in 2/3rd cut in farm waters • Apr 10 - Judge blocks attempt to sell CVP water to mining company • Sep 19 - Pajaro Valley loses 19,000 acre feet of CVP water due to legal technicality •
1995 Jul 18 -
Folsom Dam gate breaks releasing half million acre feet of water •
1996 Oct 12 - Pajaro Valley water agency decides to buy $5.6 million in CVP water rights • Dec 21 - Kern County plan to sell 22 billion gallons of water to L.A. starts water war •
1997 - $80 million temperature controlled fish protection support added to Shasta dam • Sept 13 -
Cadillac Desert author supports more subsidies to farmers • Dec 14 - Proposal to sell Friant dam water to L.A. reduced to just excess flow years •
1998 May 29 - Measure D in Pajaro Valley alternative to CVP plan attacked for conservation and small dams • Jun 3 - Measure D passes, effectively ending plan to import CVP water into Pajaro Valley
2000-2009 •
2000 -
Westlands Water District sues the
USBR over drainage promises and wins $2.6 billion agreement • Jun 9 - $450 million water plan proposed by Governor Davis includes raising Shasta dam height •
2002 Feb 13 - Appeal of court ruling taking CVP water from fish and environment • Jul 17 - Westlands wants feds to buy contaminated land for $500 million •
2004 -
CalFed budget zeroed out for fifth year in a row as attempts to find common ground fail • Apr 22 - Editorial: death of 34,000 fish on Klamath impacts
Hupa tribe • Jul 14 - Court order allows for protection of fish in Trinity River •
2005 Mar 16 - CVP water resold by users as 200,000 acres in Westland's too toxic for growing •
2006 - San Joaquin water flows restored to protect fish •
2007 May 25 - Federal court overturns
U.S. Fish and Wildlife's 2005 opinion that increased CVP water take would not endanger Smelt • Oct 25 - "Racanelli Decision" - Judge decides in favor of Aug. 1978 decision (1485) compelling USBR and
DWR adhere to the
State Water Resources Control Board's water quality standards •
2008 - Central Valley Project Improvement Act's fisheries program conducts "Listen to the River" independent peer review • Apr 9 - CVP's Lewiston dam predicted to have a normal reservoir levels for year • Aug 9 - The Kern County Water Agency buys state water for as cheap as $28 and sells it for up to $200 and acre •
2009 - A documented
indicator species, the
Delta smelt is listed under the
ESA as endangered (listed as threatened in 1993) • May 24 - How the Ca. Dept. of Water Resources lost control of the Kern Country Water Bank • Jun 5 -
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration releases 4 year study on fish impacts • Oct 7 - Trinity County protests USBR's petition to extend state water rights to 2030
2010-2020 •
2010 Jun 3 - Environmental groups file a lawsuit seeking to block a secret backroom deal – known as the "Monterey Amendments" • Dec 15 - The release of the
Bay Delta Conservation Plan, or the reincarnation of peripheral canal is immediately opposed by environmental groups •
2012 Mar 2 - Court of Appeals ends thirteen year legal battle between Westlands and Interior Dept in government's favor •
2014 May 14 - 10% of all California goes to Almond production • Nov 4 - After 5 years of reworking, the public okays $510 million in state water funding •
2015 Jan 27 - Harvard University has bought 10,000 acres California land for Wine production and water speculation • Apr 21 - California Almond production is using over 1 trillion gallons of agricultural water • Sep 11 -
USBR announces agreement with Westlands water contract and drainage controversy •
2017 Jan 3 - HR 23 Central Valley Project Water Reliability introduced and passed by house fails in senate would have stripped all CVP environmental protections • Feb 17 - CVP's Oroville Dam spillway water levels result in 180,000 people forced to evacuate • Mar 17 - House republicans invoke the "God Squad" option of the
Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1978 to overturn water limits caused by the endangered Smelt • Jun 10 - Trump admin proposes selling off all grid assets of the
Power Marketing Administration •
2018 - Congress set aside $20 million to raise Shasta dam by 18.5' or an additional 636,000 acre feet of water a year •
2019 Aug 1 - Meeting to start new Delta Tunnel by state agencies held • Sep 8 - Westlands Irrigation District appeals court decision to block raising height of CVP's Shasta dam • Aug 21 - Trump admin suppresses report on dangers to
Steelhead Salmon • Oct 23 - Dept. of Interior changes water rules in favor of farmers •
2020 - Jan 1 - No Smelt
indicator species found in the Sacramento Delta for last 2 years • Feb 20 - President Trump signs
Record of Decision on federal biological opinions • Feb 29 - Seventy five project customers, including the large
Westlands Water District, received permanent federal water contracts == Facilities in the Sacramento Valley ==