- Reclamation continues talks with the Sites Project Authority.
- A proposed reservoir would hold up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water.
- Public sessions allow community input on the agreement.
Monday, September 8, 2025 — On September 5, 2025, the Bureau of Reclamation
announced that public negotiation sessions with the Sites Project Authority will continue for a Partnership Agreement on the proposed Sites Reservoir Project. The agreement sets the terms under which both parties will participate in the project.
The Sites Reservoir, located about 10 miles west of Maxwell in Northern California’s Sacramento Valley, is designed as a 1.5 million acre-foot offstream storage facility. It would capture water from the Sacramento River during high-flow periods and hold it for use in dry years.
Upcoming Public Session.
The next negotiation session is scheduled for September 23, 2025, at the Tehama Colusa Canal Authority in Willows, California. The meeting will run from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Members of the public may attend and share comments. Copies of the proposed contract and participation details will be made available at the session.
Purpose of the Project.
The Sites Reservoir is intended to boost California’s overall water storage capacity. According to Reclamation, the project would improve water supply reliability and provide environmental benefits, including potential support for ecosystems that depend on stable water flows.
Reclamation is working alongside the Sites Project Authority and other local and state entities to advance the project, which has been under discussion for several years.
Image of Sites Project Area via the Bureau of Reclamation.
