Water Transfers Brochure: Guidance and Information for Water Transfers

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) developed the Water Transfers Brochure (Brochure) to assist water purveyors in the preparation of water transfer and Warren Act proposals and documents. It is a “work in progress” that will be refined as necessary to adapt to changing circumstances or improve its utility, this Brochure provides general guidance on communicating, preparing, and submitting a proposal, as well as presenting estimated timelines for associated requirements, actions, and approvals.

This Brochure is meant to increase the efficiency of the logistical and administrative processes that Reclamation and the transfer parties control and to further the goal of timely facilitation of water transfers that require conveyance through Central Valley Project (CVP) facilities or otherwise require Reclamation approval. This Brochure provides a framework and certain details of the processes; however, dependent on the transfer or Warren Act proposal, additional coordination or steps may be necessary to facilitate approval of a proposed action.

Reclamation encourages all water purveyors to work closely with their designated Reclamation representative in developing transfer, exchange, and/or Warren Act proposals.