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SFPUC says Hetch Hetchy remains relatively full but warns of drought risks and State Water Board curtailment letters
Summary
SFPUC staff reported Hetch Hetchy at about 88% full and described reservoir and flow conditions across the state, current voluntary releases and why the utility considers State Water Board curtailment a near‑term non‑issue for SFPUC diversions.
At the Aug. 11 meeting, Assistant General Manager for Water Steve Ritchie updated the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission on storage and flow conditions amid California's multi‑year drought, describing why curtailment notices from the State Water Board did not immediately require SFPUC to change diversions.
Ritchie said Hetch Hetchy is "about 88% full" but declining, while other major reservoirs remain low (New Melones around 14%, XCheckr/Merced Irrigation District near 10%, Don Pedro roughly one‑third full). He described a recent notice the State Water Board sent directing curtailment at four points of diversion and SFPUC's June 30 response asserting those diversions were not subject to the notice. "We have not heard anything more from the State Board after that correspondence," Ritchie said.
Using graphical flow lines, staff explained that recent voluntary releases into Don Pedro and the water bank have temporarily increased river flows. Ritchie noted SFPUC is voluntarily releasing water (about 50 cfs of an approximate 100 cfs outflow from Don Pedro) as part of a fish‑protection program with irrigation districts; that, plus recent precipitation, means river flow soon may exceed the State Water Board's full natural flow benchmark and make curtailment a "non‑issue" in the near term.
Commissioners asked about legal steps if the State Water Board asserts curtailment authority. Ritchie said that would become a legal matter; operations would continue while the agency documents its position. He said staff view further action as a policy decision only if the commission directs it.
Ritchie and commissioners also discussed demand trends and conservation: San Francisco's customers are among the lowest per‑capita users in the Bay Area, and total demand remains below required state thresholds. Staff emphasized continued emphasis on conservation and preparation for a potentially dry winter.
