MAXWELL, CA (MPG) – The week of Feb. 24, the Trump Administration released federal funding, previously allocated through the Bureau of Reclamation, to the Sites Reservoir Project (Project) to expand California’s water storage capacity for the future.

“Thanks to bipartisan support from our federal partners, we’ve been able to make significant progress on Sites Reservoir, which is now nearing the start of construction,” said Fritz Durst, chair of the Sites Project Authority Board of Directors. “Sites Reservoir is a critical piece of California’s long-term water resiliency, and this funding helps move us closer to creating a reliable water source for our communities, farms and environment.”

Jerry Brown, executive director of the Sites Project Authority said, “We appreciate the Trump Administration's release of these critical funds, underscoring the federal government’s ongoing commitment to Sites Reservoir. We look forward to continuing to work with our federal partners to move this critical project forward and deliver on the benefits it will provide to our participants across the state.”

Sites Reservoir will provide 1.5-million acre-feet of off-stream storage, capturing and storing excess flows from the Sacramento River, substantially improving the state’s water flexibility, reliability and resiliency in drier years. The project is backed by a broad coalition of cities, counties, water agencies and irrigation districts across California, including the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area and Southern California. 

The Sites Reservoir Project is an off-stream reservoir proposed north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, where it would provide unique water supply and environmental benefits during dry periods, especially during extended drought. Additional information can be found at sitesproject.org or on Facebook, Instagram and X at @SitesProject.