The Delta–Mendota Canal spans over 116 miles from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the San Joaquin Valley
Credit: USBR
April 17, 2023 - WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) joined the House Natural Resources Committee legislative field hearing on water issues in the Central Valley. During the hearing, Costa highlighted the importance of his legislation, H.R. 2149 – Canal Conveyance Capacity Restoration Act, and the work ahead to repair California’s aging water infrastructure.
“It’s critical that we work together and use all the tools in our water toolbox to find new ways to store and deliver water to our communities,” said Costa. “Today’s hearing reaffirms my commitment to work bipartisanly to invest in fixing our crumbling water infrastructure and to prioritize more adaptive, real-time water management strategies. My bill would improve California’s drought resilience and restore the canals to their full carrying capacity.”
In March, Costa introduced H.R. 2149 – Canal Conveyance Capacity Restoration Act, which would authorize a one-third federal cost share for restoring canal capacity. Specifically, it would authorize $833.4 million for four major projects:
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$180 million to restore the Friant-Kern Canal.
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$183.9 million to restore the Delta Mendota Canal.
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$289.5 million to restore the California Aqueduct.
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$180 million to restore salmon runs on the San Joaquin River.
In addition, Costa was instrumental in getting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed into law. Through his efforts and advocacy, he secured federal funding for critical water projects in the Central Valley including:
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$22 million for the Friant-Kern Canal to pursue the correction of capacity constraints due to subsidence in Belmont Reach and below to Orange Cove.
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$25 million for the Delta-Mendota Canal to complete a required feasibility study and subsequently use for permitting and design costs after its completion.
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$25 million to the San Luis and Delta-Mendota Authority, to pursue the B.F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion Project. Once complete, the project will develop approximately 130,000 acre-feet of additional storage.
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$100 million for the B.F. Sisk Safety of Dams Modification Project to add stability berms and other dam safety features to the existing 3.5-mile-long earthen dam.
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$30 million for North of Delta Off-Stream Storage (Sites Reservoir Project) to pursue off-stream storage capacity of up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water in the Sacramento River system.
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$82 million for the Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion Phase II to efficiently integrate approximately 115,000 acre-feet of additional storage through new conveyance facilities.
Source: Congressman Jim Costa
