The Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (“Napa County”) has agreed to lease up to 6,400 AF of State Water Project (“SWP”) water to the Kern Westside Districts, which include Belridge Water Storage District, Berrenda Mesa Water District, Lost Hills Water District, and Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District.
The transaction is structured as a 3:1 exchange. The Kern Westside Districts will return at a later date 1 AF for every 3 AF delivered. The remaining 2 of every 3 AF will be leased at price of $267/AF.
The Kern Westside Districts need the water because their supplies are insufficient to meet irrigation demands within the districts due to the 35% SWP allocation in 2018 and local hydrologic conditions. Because of conservation efforts and local hydrologic conditions, Napa County has water available.
The County receives its SWP water under contract with the City of Napa. The Napa City Council considered and approved the matter in June.
Written by Marta L. Weismann