State Doubles Predicted Water Allocations To 30 Percent

SACRAMENTO (AP) — State water officials say they are doubling their predicted water deliveries for this year for farmers and millions of other Californians.

The Department of Water Resources said Wednesday districts served by the State Water Project will receive 30 percent of their contracted amount. The department estimated in January it would provide 15 percent of contracted amounts.

Officials say the estimate could change depending on the rain and snow that falls this winter and spring. They are also warning there could be cutbacks if the dry spell continues.

Director Mark Cowin says that though the increase is good news, the state needs a lot more rain this winter "to take the edge off drought."

The State Water Project, a system of reservoirs, canals and pipelines, delivers water to 25 million Californians and vast farmland. The last time it delivered 100 percent of contracted water supplies was in 2006.