An increase in water allocation has Westlands Water District seeking additional supplies, saying the boost falls short of growers’ needs.

On Tuesday, the Bureau of Reclamation announced it would increase allocations for south-of-Delta water users — including Westlands — from 20 percent to 25 percent.

The announcement comes as federal hydrologists say the Sierra snowpack dwindled because of unusually early heat.

Acting Regional Director Adam Nickels said in a statement that “careful coordination” helped capture spring runoff conditions.

He said President Donald Trump’s executive orders issued in 2025 helped make the allocation increase possible.

“While the Sierra snowpack has for the most part dissipated earlier than usual due to a warm spring, current reservoir storage and operational conditions support this incremental increase while maintaining prudent management of the (Central Valley Project) system,” Nickels said.

Allocation ‘Falls Short’ of Growers’ Needs: Febbo

Though California’s major reservoirs remain at or above average storage levels for this time of year, water uncertainty looms as the Sierra Nevada snowpack declines, according to the Bureau of Reclamation.

As of May 18, storage levels at all major reservoirs exceed their 15-year averages, with Oroville and Shasta dams at 123 percent and 112 percent of average, respectively, according to Reclamation data.

Millerton Lake is at 136 percent of its 15-year average.

In a news release Tuesday, Westlands General Manager Allison Febbo said the Central Valley Project — which connects the state’s federally managed reservoirs — was created to deliver water supplies to users both north and south of the Delta.

“This allocation update is disappointing. While we appreciate the Bureau’s ongoing effort ot update allocations as conditions evolve, and recognize the significant operational constraints involved in balancing reservoir management, temperature requirements for fish, and the many competing demands placed on the Central Valley Project, this allocation update falls short of our growers’ water needs,” Febbo said.