Some holders of highly coveted “senior” water rights received some unwelcome and unprecedented news late Friday — they’re officially in the same boat as everyone else.
For the first time, water rights dating as far back as the mid-19th century are being curtailed. Citing drought conditions, the State Water Quality Control Board told 11 entities, including the operators of three canals and two irrigation districts to stop taking water from the San Joaquin River and its tributaries.
All of the new restrictions are south of the Delta.
The action makes water rights recognized since 1858 — just eight years after California became a state — pretty much worthless, at least temporarily.
Farmers ordered to stop using surface water have little in the way of choice. They can let their crops die or turn to groundwater.
Friday’s order affects senior rights holders back to 1858 that draw from the Merced River, along with all appropriative rights along the San Joaquin River below the Friant dam near Fresno.
Nearly 300 senior and over 8,700 junior water rights holders have received curtailment orders.