Sacramento, California - The Bureau of Reclamation announces the selection of three California water districts to receive $3 million total in Agricultural Water Conservation and Efficiency grants for Fiscal Year 2016. The grants, combined with local cost share contributions, total more than $6 million slated for water management improvement projects to be implemented during the next two years.

The AWCE program is a joint effort with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to promote district level water conservation improvements that facilitate on-farm water use efficiency and conservation projects. With NRCS support, Reclamation selected three projects for funding. Once Reclamation and the water districts have signed agreements and developed working plans, NRCS will work with the districts to determine eligible conservation practices and provide complementary funding and technical assistance for eligible growers.   

The following provides details of the selected districts and projects:

North Kern Water Storage District, $1 million The North Kern Water Storage District Calloway Canal Lining Project will concrete line 1,600 linear feet of Calloway Canal and includes water delivery improvement components. This project is expected to save 1,135 acre-feet of water annually over the 35-year life of the project.

Rancho California Water District, $1 million The Agricultural Crop Conversion Program will convert high water use agricultural crops to lower water use crops among 154 acres. Crops identified for conversion include avocado and citrus for conversion to lower use crops such as grapes. This project is expected to save 396 acre-feet of water annually over the 10-year life of the project.

Semitropic Water Storage District, $1 million The Groundwater Well Operational Data Acquisition and Lateral Canal Lining Project includes concrete lining approximately 19,000 feet of Pond Poso Canal and installation of remote data acquisition system controls. The project is expected to save 16,630 acre-feet of water annually over the 17-year life of the project.

For more information on the AWCE program, please contact Anna Sutton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 916-978-5214 (TTY 800-877-8339).