Pending Water Restrictions-Water Supply Update

The unusually dry weather and warm temperatures are impacting the water supply forecast for Tuolumne County.  Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) this week notified Tuolumne Utilities District (TUD) that Pinecrest Lake is forecasted to be about 75% full this year.  In a normal year, Pinecrest Lake which has a storage capacity of 18,300 acre feet, would fill and this water would be used to supplement the water TUD receives from Lyons Reservoir. TUD receives its main water supply from the Sierra snowpack. This water is delivered to TUD starting at the South Fork of the Stanislaus River at Lyons Reservoir via the Tuolumne Main Canal by agreement with PG&E.  PG&E owns and operates Pinecrest Lake, Lyons Reservoir and the Tuolumne Main Canal.

“Tuolumne County normally would receive much needed snowpack and precipitation in February and March but this year it has not happened. The forecasting models have changed along with the change in the climate and temperatures that we are seeing,” states Tom Scesa, General Manager. “The news regarding Pinecrest Lake not filling is a setback for us. Last year’s drought has helped us all get better prepared for this year. Knowing that our community pulled together last year, we know that if we all step up our conservation efforts we will have enough water until Labor Day,” continues Scesa. After Labor Day, TUD receives water from Pinecrest Lake to supplement Lyons Reservoir during through the fall and early winter. Last year in 2014, TUD called for water restrictions with a goal of a 50% reduction. Customers reached a peak conservation effort of 44% in May and overall conserved 32% compared to the previous year.

The District will be reviewing its drought contingency plan and water forecasting models to predict the water that will be needed now until Labor Day. “We continue to look at how to make our system more efficient and we will be reviewing our water restriction guidelines.  Water conservation will be needed and once we determine just how much, we will be discussing this information with our Board and our customers,” states Scesa. The District is expecting to release water restrictions to be imposed sometime in April.