California pushes forward with Sites Reservoir construction

Despite the largest dam removal project in U.S. history underway, the federal government has allocated $216 million for California's first major new reservoir in fifty years.

Theo Whitcomb reports for High Country News.

In short:

• The proposed Sites Reservoir will require two main dams and will inundate 14,000 acres of grassland, primarily sourcing water from the Sacramento River.
• Advocates claim the project will address climate change by storing winter rainwater, but critics argue it endangers vital salmon habitats and serves wealthy agribusiness interests.
• The project, fast-tracked by the governor, is structured like real estate, allowing stakeholders to buy water shares.

Key quote:

"These winter flows are the only thing that’s keeping these really at-risk species alive and these ecosystems functioning."

— Ann Willis, California director of American Rivers

Why this matters:

The reservoir project highlights ongoing conflicts between water management and environmental conservation. It raises concerns about prioritizing economic interests over ecological health and equitable water distribution.