Sites Reservoir lands Trump commitment, with federal support for water storage
Federal officials on Friday announced approval of a plan that could fund up to a quarter of the cost to build Sites Reservoir, a boon for water storage in Northern California in a rural valley west of the Sacramento River.
Plans for Sites Reservoir have unfolded for decades and accelerated of late, with construction of the project, currently estimated between $6.2 billion and $6.8 billion, expected to begin by early 2027.
The reservoir, located more than 10 miles west of the small town of Maxwell in Colusa County and crossing the Glenn County line, would store up to 1.5 million acre-feet of water for water agencies throughout the state. The off-river design would pump water from the Sacramento River around the time of storms and during wet years to hedge against the consequences of drought.
The project evolved throughout the years to include partnerships with water agencies as far away as Southern California. The state has reserved up to $1.1 billion to build the reservoir, with the yet-to-be-determined dollar amount tied to the federal commitment made Friday bolstering support for the large-scale project. Officials plan for the reservoir to be completed and operating in 2033.
“This decision affirms what our extensive analysis has shown — that Sites Reservoir can reliably capture and store water in a way that supports both people and the environment,” said Jerry Brown, Sites Project Authority executive director, in a news release.
“With this additional environmental approval, we can now leverage all available construction funding and are focused on moving with intensity and purpose toward construction so Californians will realize the needed benefits of Sites Reservoir.”
The approved Bureau of Reclamation environmental review puts Sites Reservoir in accordance with federal laws and regulations. It also aligns with Trump administration talks of improving water supply and storage capacity.
“President Trump made clear that federal water projects must deliver real results for American families,” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a news release. “This administration is getting it done in record time. The Sites Reservoir Project and the gains achieved over the past year demonstrate how a disciplined, mission-focused approach can expand water reliability for communities, agriculture and the economy.”
Sites Project Authority officials recently chose Barnard Construction Company to lead the first phase of construction, which would last years and could cost more than $3 billion. That decision faced backlash from some local labor unions, which have questioned whether the Montana-based company has the experience needed to lead a project the scale of Sites Reservoir, and worried about its track record of working with local laborers.
With federal support in hand, authorities governing the project will continue collecting assurances and funds from its partnering agencies, including the California Water Commission, while moving forward with construction.
“This milestone decision reflects years of rigorous analysis, collaboration, and a shared commitment to advancing a project that balances our water supply needs with protecting the environment,” said Fritz Durst, Sites Project Authority board chair, in a news release. “We’re grateful to our federal partners, who have helped make this project possible and look forward to advancing Sites in the coming year.”
This story was originally published January 24, 2026 at 9:14 AM.
