California Increases Water Supplies to Farms, Residents

The state’s water resources department has upped its allocation to 50 percent of what was requested by customers.

In an aerial view, water is released on the main spillway at Lake Oroville in Oroville, Calif., on June 15, 2023. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California will allow more water to flow to farms and residents as more snowpack melts into the state’s watersheds, the state announced April 29.

Last month, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) filled 40 percent of what local jurisdictions and farmers requested. This month, that was raised to 50 percent.