The long-planned Sites Reservoir project in Northern California took a significant step forward this summer after securing two major environmental approvals that clear the way for construction to begin as early as next year.
On July 16, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service issued a Biological Opinion, evaluating the project’s impact on endangered and threatened species in the Sacramento Valley. Earlier in the month, on July 7, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife granted a Master Streambed Alteration Agreement, allowing adjustments to local waterways where the reservoir will be built.
Together, these approvals mark critical milestones in the federal and state permitting process for the $3 billion water storage project, which aims to capture and store stormwater during wet years for use in dry seasons.
In parallel with the environmental reviews, the Sites Project Authority has shortlisted contractors for the project’s Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) procurement. The selected firm will first take on a Phase 1 Pre-Construction Services contract, providing technical input to refine project planning before full construction begins.
The Authority is now requesting detailed proposals from the shortlisted contractors and expects to announce the winning firm by the end of the year, keeping the project on track for a groundbreaking in 2026.
Project leaders say the approvals and contractor selection process represent “a turning point” for a project that has been in planning for decades. Once complete, the off-stream reservoir will hold up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water, boosting California’s drought resilience and reducing reliance on the strained Colorado River system.
Supporters argue the project is urgently needed in light of increasing climate extremes. Critics, however, have raised concerns about environmental trade-offs, including potential effects on fish populations and downstream ecosystems.
If construction proceeds as scheduled, the Sites Reservoir would become one of California’s most significant water infrastructure projects in decades, providing new supply reliability for agriculture, cities, and ecosystems alike.
Originally reported by California Rice News.
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