Partnerships with Federal and Local Governments

Joint-Use Facilities

In 1961, DWR and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation agreed to jointly develop the San Luis Unit facilities. Joint-use facilities include O'Neill Dam and Forebay, B.F. Sisk Dam, San Luis Reservoir, William R. Gianelli Pumping-Generating Plant, Dos Amigos Pumping Plant, Los Banos Reservoir, Little Panoche Reservoir, and the San Luis Canal, a 103-mile segment of the California Aqueduct.

The Bureau designed and constructed the facilities, and DWR operates and maintains them. All costs and reservoir storage are split 45/55 with DWR having the larger share of both.

Castaic Powerplant

Located about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles between Pyramid Lake and Castaic Lake, Castaic Powerplant was built under a cooperative agreement between DWR and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Initially, DWR had planned to build a 214-MW plant to recover power from the lift over the Tehachapis. With LADWP's participation, the facility's generation capacity was enlarged to 1,200 MW and pumpback capability was added for peaking capacity. In addition to the power plant, the facilities include the Angeles Tunnel and Elderberry Forebay.

DWR and LADWP share costs on a 45/55 split with the Department having the larger share.

Coordinated Operation Agreement

In 1986, Bureau and DWR signed a Coordinated Operation Agreement defining the rights and responsibilities of both agencies in operating the CVP and the SWP to maximize benefits to the people of California. This agreement expanded a series of interim agreements which had been in effect since the beginning of SWP operations. The COA provides for increased operational flexibility and efficiency of both projects, equitable sharing of available surplus water, and sharing of responsibilities in meeting Delta water quality standards. Under the agreement, the SWP and the CVP coordinate operations, including releases from upstream reservoirs and pumping from the Delta.