July 23, 2026 - FOLSOM, Calif. – The Bureau of Reclamation is seeking public comment on a draft long-term water service contract with the Tuolumne Utilities District. The proposed contract would provide for the storage and conveyance of up to 6,000 acre-feet of Central Valley Project water annually from the New Melones Unit. 

Under the proposed contract, Reclamation would provide Tuolumne Utilities District with up to 6,000 acre‑feet of Central Valley Project water from existing New Melones Unit contract supplies within the Eastside Division. As an in‑basin contractor, Tuolumne Utilities District has priority to this water, which would be delivered based on hydrologic conditions and Central Valley Project operations either through releases from New Melones Reservoir or by reducing interim deliveries to Stockton East Water District or Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District, consistent with their contract provisions.

The proposed contract would authorize Tuolumne Utilities District to deliver up to 6,000 acre‑feet of surface water annually within Tuolumne County, including subcontract to Chicken Ranch Rancheria for municipal, industrial, and irrigation uses. This supply would supplement and support Tuolumne Utilities District’s existing water service commitments within the New Melones Unit and the broader Stanislaus River Basin. Tuolumne Utilities District provides water service across Tuolumne County to agricultural, residential, commercial, and industrial customers. 

Written comments on this draft contract must be received by close of business on September 21, 2026, and sent to Chanthea Khoun, Repayment Specialist, Central California Area Office, 7794 Folsom Dam Road, Folsom, CA 95630, or email to ckhoun@usbr.gov.

For more information or to request a copy of the draft contract, call 916-537-7052 or email ckhoun@usbr.gov.


New Melones Lake   Photo Credit: USBR

Source: USBR