California Approves First Major Reservoir in 50 Years

California has approved the final water-rights permits for the proposed Sites Reservoir, a multibillion-dollar off-stream project designed to capture high Sacramento River flows for use during dry periods, with construction expected to begin in 2027. The project is intended to strengthen water supplies for cities and farms as the state prepares for another wet season and tracks conditions at its largest reservoirs amid forecasts of potentially heavier-than-usual rain. In Corpus Christi, recent rainfall has lifted Lake Corpus Christi slightly, but the city’s two main reservoirs remain well below full capacity, and officials say rain must fall in the Nueces River watershed to meaningfully replenish supplies. The city remains under water restrictions, underscoring that scattered storms may not make up for prolonged drought, particularly as winter is typically the region’s driest season.