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Eastern San Joaquin Groundwater Basin Groundwater Management Plan 8 Integrated Regional Conjunctive Use Program The following section describes the options available to the Authority in the development of the Integrated Regional Conjunctive Use Program. The Conjunctive Use Program is the key element in fulfilling the purpose of the Plan to ensure the sustainability of Groundwater resources in Eastern San Joaquin County. For organizational purpose, project options are grouped into water supply elements by source, surface water storage and major conveyance projects, and groundwater recharge components by program or entity. 8.1 Supply Elements Supply elements are grouped by river system and are a combination of reallocations, new water, and transfers. Entitlements to water are supported by legal claims based on existing water right permits, water service contracts and agreements, and pending water right applications. A map of the waterways discussed can be seen in Figure 8-1. 8.1.1 Stanislaus River As listed in Table 2-5, Stanislaus River supplies are available to the SSJID and OID via pre- 1914 water rights and to the Stockton East Water District and Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District through Central Valley Project (CVP) contracts. SSJID and OID are senior water right holders to 600,000 of per year from the yield of New Melones Reservoir, 320,000 of of which are used directly in the GMA. SEWD and CSJWCD hold junior contracts for a total of 155,000 of subject to other users requirements. The Stanislaus River watershed consists of approximately 904 square miles with an annual average runoff of approximately 1 million af. The majority of the runoff occurs from November to July and peaks during the summer months when snow melt is greatest. More than half the runoff is snowmelt-derived (USBR, Website, updated). The USACE constructed New Melones Dam on the Stanislaus River in 1978, replacing the original Old Melones Dam constructed in 1924 jointly by OID and SSJID. New Melones Reservoir has a capacity of 2.4 million of and is operated as part of the CVP under the USBR's Interim Operations Plan. The average annual runoff at New Melones for the 74 years from 1904 to 1977 was 1.12 million af. Urban growth in South San Joaquin County in the Cities of Lathrop, Manteca, Escalon and Ripon and the increased irrigation efficiencies made over the years have made water available for transfer by SSJID and OID. Beginning in 2005, SSJID will serve the urban communities of Escalon, Manteca, Lathrop, and Tracy with surplus water through the South County Surface Water Supply Project. SSJID and OID also currently make available to SEWD up to 30,000 of/yr through the New Melones Conveyance System specifically for urban use as part of a 10- year water transfer agreement which expires in 2009. The agreement is renewable pending future water availability and negotiation. SSJID and OID have also made on occasion water available to CSJWCD for irrigation. In 1978, New Melones Dam was completed and the reservoir was filled. At the time of development and construction of New Melones, the expected yield of the project was fully allocated to meet the needs of the contracts in the Eastside Unit of the CVP. SSJID and OID held the most senior of rights and were allocated their full historic diversion amount. CSJWCD executed both a firm and interim CVP contract and SEWD an interim CVP contract; both are junior to other CVP contract for New Melones water. The CVP contracts provide up to 155,000 of per year subject to inflow, storage, and senior requirements. CSJWCD would receive up to 49,000 of of firm yield and an additional 31,000 of when available. SEWD would receive up to 75,000 of when available. Northeastern San Joaquin County Section 8 Groundwater Banking Authority 103 Integrated Conjunctive Use Program