Sites Reservoir Project Advanced to Investment Phase

The proposed California water storage project has moved forward with a new selection process for construction management.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Current Conditions

Isometric editorial illustration showing a concrete water channel and earth dam structure in a dry landscape, representing major water infrastructure. — The Sites Project Authority has moved into the investment phase for its California water reservoir, initiating a search for construction managers to oversee the project near Maxwell. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local governments prioritize large-scale reservoir construction to ensure water security during future droughts?

The Sites Project Authority has entered the investment phase for the proposed Sites Reservoir, a facility designed to capture excess water from the Sacramento River. The project aims to improve water reliability across the state by providing significant storage capacity.

Why it matters

The project is designed to bolster regional water security by storing excess flow from the Sacramento River and local creeks for use during declared drought periods. It represents a major infrastructure effort intended to mitigate the impacts of water scarcity in the Sacramento Valley.

The proposed reservoir features an estimated total storage capacity of 1.5 million acre-feet and is projected to supply 200,000 acre-feet during droughts. Project costs are estimated between $6.2 billion and $6.8 billion, with $1.363 billion in conditional funding.

The players

Sites Project Authority

This regional agency is the lead entity responsible for managing the planning, funding, and development of the proposed Sites Reservoir.

State Water Resources Control Board

This California state body oversees water rights and is responsible for the upcoming permit review critical to the reservoir's viability.

The details

The Sites Project Authority has initiated a selection process for a construction manager at risk to oversee the development near Maxwell. The project will operate by diverting water from the Sacramento River and local creeks during high-flow periods, governed by revised draft permit terms.

November 4, 2026: State board considers final water right permit.
2026: Anticipated water-right and other permitting approvals.
2030s: Expected construction and commissioning timeline.

Seasonal Patterns

The Sites Reservoir initiative aligns with the Water Storage Investment Program, which was established to incentivize and fund large-scale infrastructure projects that address California’s long-term water management needs. This move marks a critical step in the state’s effort to modernize water storage in response to increasingly volatile hydrological cycles.

Residents and stakeholders in the Sacramento Valley should monitor upcoming permit hearings to understand how water diversion terms may affect local river flows. Official updates on project timelines and environmental impact reports are available through the Sites Project Authority for those tracking regional resource management.

The takeaway

The transition to the investment phase reflects a strategic effort to secure California's water future against the volatility of drought years. Residents can stay informed about the potential long-term benefits and logistical impacts as the project moves toward its construction phase in the 2030s.