- Imperial Irrigation District supports Delta Conveyance Project.
- Governor Newsom pushes to fast-track approval.
- Project seeks to modernize California’s State Water Project.
- Support comes as Colorado River reservoirs remain critically low.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 — On September 2, 2025, the Imperial Irrigation District
(IID) announced its formal support for California’s Delta Conveyance Project. The district is the largest irrigation provider in the United States and relies exclusively on the Colorado River for water. Its backing is notable because Imperial County is the only county in Southern California that does not receive water from the State Water Project.
The IID Board of Directors adopted a resolution in favor of the proposal, emphasizing the interconnected nature of California’s two major water systems: the Colorado River and the Bay-Delta. Leaders said that strengthening one system provides relief for the other.
“A stronger Delta relieves pressure on the Colorado River, and that benefits us all,” said IID Chairwoman Gina Dockstader.
Governor Calls for Speed.
Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed the endorsement and urged the state legislature to approve the project quickly. In a statement on September 3, 2025, the Governor said that past attempts to modernize California’s water infrastructure have been “stalled in endless red tape.” He called for streamlined permitting and faster construction, arguing that delays put the state’s water security at risk.
“For too long, attempts to modernize our critical water infrastructure have stalled in endless red tape, burdened with unnecessary delay,” Newsom said. “Californians are overwhelmingly begging our legislature to quickly get projects done — it is time for the Legislature to get this vital infrastructure completed.”
What the Project Will Do.
The Delta Conveyance Project proposes to add new Sacramento River intakes and construct a 45-mile tunnel to move water beneath the Delta. State officials say the upgrades are vital to capturing storm flows, reducing seismic and levee risks, and ensuring reliable supplies for 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland.
Supporters note that during last year’s atmospheric river storms, the project could have captured enough water to meet the yearly usage of nearly 10 million people.
For Southern California, Delta reliability is critical. When State Water Project deliveries fall short, the Metropolitan Water District and Coachella Valley Water District turn to the drought-stricken Colorado River. IID leaders stressed that stabilizing the Delta helps reduce that burden.
“When the Delta is stable, the Colorado River is stronger,” said IID Director Alex Cardenas.
The Bigger Picture.
The State Water Project, built beginning in the 1960s, is operated by the California Department of Water Resources and supplies water to 29 public agencies across the state. It stretches from Oroville to Riverside, moving water through canals, pumping plants, and hydroelectric facilities.
California’s climate has warmed significantly in recent decades, bringing sharper swings between drought and flood. State officials say without action, the ability of the State Water Project to reliably deliver water will decline.
Governor Newsom’s proposal seeks to fast-track the Delta Conveyance Project by simplifying permits, securing funding authority, and preventing further delays. The endorsement from the Imperial Irrigation District underscores growing recognition that California’s water systems cannot be managed in isolation.
Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the Colorado River’s largest reservoirs, remain at just 31 percent and 29 percent of capacity, respectively. Leaders say strengthening both the Delta and the Colorado River systems is essential to preparing for a hotter and drier future.