In a water year not too different than 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation doubled its February allocation from last year, attributing the action to an executive order from President Donald Trump. But given a dry January, officials say they are still monitoring California’s water situation.

Reclamation announced South-of-Delta operators would get 35% of their contract totals. Most Fresno County growers reliant on federal water suppliers are considered South-of Delta.

The bureau in February 2024 allocated 15% to South-of-Delta users. Tuesday’s announcement also includes $315 million to expand storage at San Luis Reservoir and to help build the future Sites Reservoir.

“Recent atmospheric rivers and the good condition of most of our reservoirs going into this water year have benefited our water supply outlook; however, the San Joaquin Basin has experienced critically dry conditions this winter,” said California-Great Basin Regional Director Karl Stock.

“Initial allocations reflect this significant variation across the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys.”

Related Story: Newsom Counters Trump, Orders More Stormwater Stored in Valley Reservoirs

Large February Allocation Means Easier Decision Making for Farmers: Westlands

The bureau credited Trump’s January executive order calling for increased water supplies to Los Angeles and the Central Valley.

Some Central Valley growers criticized Jan. 31 releases from Tulare County’s Terminus Dam and Schafer Dam to assist in fighting wildfires largely already contained. Moreover, the water released from those dams couldn’t reach Southern California, anyway.

But water agencies dependent on federal allocations praised the action Tuesday. Farmers have long said getting earlier allocations helps make decisions about what they can plant for the year. In some previous heavy water years, farmers have had to wait until April 1 to know what to expect.

“This allocation offers our farmers the opportunity to make critical planting decisions that optimize feeding the nation,” said Allison Febbo, general manager of Westlands Water District, in a news release.

Related Story: Trump Emergency Order Triggers Water Dump From Tulare County Lakes

State’s Water System Doesn’t Work: San Luis Water Authority

The California Department of Water Resources estimates snow equivalents in the northern Sierra Nevada at 109% of normal, 85% of normal for central Sierra, and 72% of normal for the southern Sierra.

The 2025 water year has been inconsistent, according to Reclamation. An “exceptionally” dry January followed an “extremely” wet November.

“There is still a portion of the traditionally wet season in front of us, and we are committed to delivering as much water as possible to our contractors consistent with the goals of the Central Valley Project and Executive Order 14181,” Stock said.

Federico Barajas, executive director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, said while the 35% allocation is a significant improvement over last year’s 15%, he was expecting more.

The problem for Barajas is the uneven distribution of rainfall in the state. Greater storage in the north doesn’t always come down to South-of-Delta users.

“The last decade — in which Authority members with agricultural water contracts received water allocations below 20% six times, including four years with no allocation, and 75% or above three times — continues to reinforce that California’s water system is no longer able to provide the reliability necessary to support the demands placed on it,” Barajas said. “Rainfall and snowpack patterns are changing and our water management strategies must be responsive to this new reality.”