Farmers in the San Joaquin Valley and beyond are fuming over the Bureau of Reclamation´s announcement that only 45 percent of the water they are entitled to receive for irrigation will be coming this year.

The decision is expected to affect over one million acres of farm land. The move was made in light of early projections that indicate the Sierra snow pack is well above average, which apparently could supply all the water the area needs. The water shortage is expected to affect produce farms from Los Banos to eastern Santa Clara County. That region produces over 200 different food and fiber crops.