Central Valley Project - Definition and Overview

The Central Valley Project (CVP) is a federal water project undertaken by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1935 as a long-term plan to use water in California's Central Valley. The goals of the CVP were flood control, improved transportation of water, and the development of water supplies for industrial, municipal, and agricultural use.

The project has been implemented through the construction of dams and water delivery canals.

Because of dredging and dam building, the project has taken a toll on the environment. Much of the wildlife and riparian habitat in the Bay-Delta area has been destroyed. Salmon (especially Chinook Salmon) have been adversely impacted because they cannot reach upstream spawning grounds due to dams and water diversions.

Many CVP water users are represented by the Central Valley Project Water Association (CVPWA).

CVP components

• Shasta Dam and Shasta Lake (reservoir)

External links

• Central Valley Project Operations Office (http://www.usbr.gov/mp/cvo/)
• Central Valley Project - summary (http://www.valleywater.org/Water/Where_Your_Water_Comes_From/Imported_Water/Central_Valley_Project.shtm)
• CVP - History (http://www.usbr.gov/history/cvpintro.htm)
• CVP - Effects on environment (http://www.krisweb.com/krisweb_kt/trtour/cvp.htm)