California’s State Water Resources Control Board unanimously approved a water right permit on Wednesday for the Sites Reservoir, the state’s largest new reservoir project in nearly five decades. The $7 billion initiative will construct two 300-foot dams and nine smaller dams near Maxwell, flooding approximately 15,000 acres to create a reservoir capable of holding 1.5 million acre-feet of water.
The project, designed to store water pumped from the Sacramento River during wet periods for later use, received approval after years of planning and debate. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025, with completion anticipated by 2034.
Proponents of the reservoir argue it is essential for adapting to climate change, which has intensified droughts and floods. E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Resources Control Board, stated, “We’re living with more extreme droughts and floods, and a growing need to store water during wet periods. Sites is built for exactly that.” Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom praised the decision, calling it proof that “California can get big infrastructure projects moving again” and urging immediate action: “Now it’s time to get shovels in the ground.”
Opponents, including environmental groups and fishing advocates, contend the reservoir will harm the Sacramento River ecosystem, particularly salmon populations, by diverting water and warming the river. Critics also argue the project is overly costly and primarily benefits agricultural interests. Keith Merkel, a representative of environmental concerns, stated, “The Sites Reservoir project makes no sense. It costs billions, delivers a trickle of new water, and threatens the health of the Sacramento River and San Francisco Bay-Delta.”
The reservoir’s location near the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta raises additional concerns about water quality and ecosystem degradation, including potential increases in algae blooms. Supporters counter that the project will enhance water security amid growing climate variability.
California’s existing water infrastructure, much of which was designed decades ago, has struggled to meet modern climate challenges. Wade Crowfoot, California’s Natural Resources Secretary, noted, “Our water systems that were really once on the vanguard and the envy of the world are not built for the climate we have.” The Sites Reservoir is positioned as a solution to these systemic limitations, though its long-term ecological and economic impacts remain subjects of contention.
The permit approval marks a significant step toward addressing the state’s water supply vulnerabilities, but the project’s future will depend on ongoing regulatory oversight and potential legal challenges from stakeholders.