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Water Project Operations

State Water Project 

Delta cross channel
DWR photo.

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) operates, maintains, and manages the State Water Project (SWP), which includes water storage and delivery systems composed of reservoirs, aqueducts, power plants, and pumping plants. Their main purpose is to store water and distribute it to urban and agricultural water suppliers in Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Joaquin Valley, the Central Coast, and Southern California.

For more information regarding SWP operations, visit the DWR website.

Compliance with the California Endangered Species Act

In 2024, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issued DWR a California Endangered Species Act (CESA) incidental take permit (ITP) for the long-term operation of the SWP in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for the protection of Delta smelt, longfin smelt, spring-run Chinook salmon, winter-run Chinook salmon, and white sturgeon.

For more information on the SWP ITP, visit the State Water Project Permitting page.

CDFW's Role in Water Operations

CDFW’s Water Operations Unit participates on technical and management-level working teams that make real-time water operation decisions for the SWP and CVP. CDFW provides input on risk assessments and recommends operational actions to minimize adverse effects on state and federally listed fish species and to ensure compliance with CESA requirements specified in the SWP ITP conditions. The following teams are required by the SWP ITP:

Water Operations Management Team

The Water Operations Management Team (WOMT) is comprised of manager-level representatives from DWR, CDFW, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS),  U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the State Water Board. WOMT coordinates on overall SWP and CVP operations to oversee the implementation of various real-time provisions for water project operations. The purpose of WOMT is to discuss and resolve SWP and CVP operational questions and technical issues, as requested or elevated from technical teams, and to elevate unresolved operational issues to the Directors of DWR, Reclamation, CDFW, USFWS and NMFS.

WOMT Meeting Notes

Salmon Monitoring Team

The purpose of the Salmon Monitoring Team (SaMT) is to meet and review hydrologic, SWP and CVP operational, fishery, and water quality data, and provide opportunities for engagement and discussion among biologists and operators on relevant information and issues associated with water project operations and risk assessments. SaMT includes representatives from DWR, CDFW, Reclamation, USFWS, NMFS, and the State Water Board.

SaMT Risk Assessments and Meeting Notes

Smelt Monitoring Team

The purpose of the Smelt Monitoring Team (SMT) is to meet and review hydrologic, SWP and CVP operational, fishery, and water quality data, and provide opportunities for engagement and discussion among biologists and operators on relevant information and issues associated with water project operations and risk assessments. SMT includes representatives from DWR, CDFW, Reclamation, USFWS, NMFS, and the State Water Board.

SMT Risk Assessments

White Sturgeon Monitoring Team

The purpose of the White Sturgeon Monitoring Team (WSMT) is to meet and review hydrologic, SWP and CVP operational, fishery, and water quality data, and provide opportunities for engagement and discussion among biologists and operators on relevant information and issues associated with water project operations and risk assessments. WSMT includes representatives from DWR, CDFW, Reclamation, USFWS, NMFS, and the State Water Board.

CDFW Water Branch
Branch Chief: Brooke Jacobs
P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244