(Feb. 14, 2024) The NID Board of Directors has supported a declaration for surplus water as confirmation of an ample water supply for this year.

The surplus declaration is important as it allows NID to provide water service to a small number of outside-District customers per an annual contract. Additionally, NID supplies raw water to the City of Grass Valley and Nevada City through a long-term surplus water supply agreement.

Each year, prior to the start of irrigation season that begins in mid-April, Directors review the forecasted water supply to consider a surplus water declaration. This is based on an analysis of forecasted water availability for the upcoming summer months. This considers current storage and anticipated snowpack runoff, which is based on snow survey data.

The surplus supply declaration is based on the following:

• The 2022/2023 water year was one of the wettest on record, with an April 1 snowpack that was ranked as the 3rd highest in recorded history, leading to above average run off
• Careful water management throughout the 2023 irrigation season capitalized on the increased runoff, maintaining a high reservoir carryover storage into 2024
• Precipitation amounts at the District’s Bowman Lake recording station are at 82% of the average for this date as of February 1
• The February snow survey results indicated a snowpack with a water content of only 55% of average, however, recent storms occurring after the survey have increased the snowpack
• The District’s current water storage is at 210,900 acre-feet, representing 108% of average for this date, with lower elevation reservoirs nearly full, and high elevation reservoirs forecast to fill and spill once snow runoff begins
• The forecasted available water supply for April 1, 2024, is 276,600 acre-feet, exceeding the threshold for the implementation of the Drought Contingency Plan (in the Urban and Agricultural Water Management Plans) by 40,900 acre-feet