Farmers cut historic water deal during drought

California farmers with the oldest water rights in the Delta agreed to make a 25 percent voluntary water cut now. The idea is to avoid large water restrictions during the crucial growing season between June and September. The State Water Resources Control Board announced Friday that they accepted the farmers’ proposal.

The farmers included in this deal are those who hold the oldest water rights in the state, known as Delta Riparian Water Rights. These farmers hold their water rights in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta.

The group of several hundred farmers made the offer after state water managers announced they were days away from ordering some of the first cuts in more than thirty years to senior water rights holders due to unprecedented drought conditions.

Under the deal, farmers can either reduce water diversions they receive by 25 percent, or fallow 25 percent of their land. Riparian Water Right holders who decide not to take part in this deal may face steeper water restrictions later this year.

Water managers say this is a historic agreement that may be used as a template for farmers who hold the oldest water rights in other parts of the state.

The state has already mandated a 25 percent conservation by cities and towns and cut water deliveries to many farmers and communities due to the drought.