Thompson Helps Secure $67.5 Million for Sites Reservoir Project Expanding Local Water Storage


Press Release

Posted:

Washington – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) applauded the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s award of $67.5 million to fund the Sites Reservoir Project. Rep. Thompson helped secure this funding through his support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure law.

“The Sites Reservoir Project is a significant step forward in increasing water storage in our region and throughout California,” said Thompson. “As a State Senator, I appropriated the first funds for Sites Reservoir, and I have long supported this project. I was proud to have voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which provided millions of dollars in investments to help make this project a reality, including today’s $67.5 million in funding.”  
The Bureau of Reclamation will provide $67.5 million for an off-stream storage project that will develop up to 1.5 million acre-feet of new water storage on the Sacramento River system located west of Maxwell, California. The reservoir will deliver multiple benefits including cold water for salmon by using new and existing facilities to move water in and out of the reservoir, with ultimate release to the Sacramento River system via existing canals, a new pipeline near Dunnigan, and the Colusa Basin Drain.  
In November of 2023, the Bureau of Reclamation and Sites Project Authority released final plans to create this new off-stream water storage in the Sacramento Valley. Breaking ground is expected in 2026.