Water is essential to the daily functioning of the site, from operating restrooms to running dining facilities to maintaining firefighting supplies. The California State Water Board's curtailment notice served to San Francisco Public Utilities Commission could affect the water supply at the popular San Francisco family summer camp. Dominique Katz holds on to her son Roscoe Katz, 5, as they relax with their family and friends near Birch Lake Jat Mather Family Camp in Groveland, Calif. Children splashed in Birch Lake, families hiked the trails and visitors en route to Yosemite stopped for snacks at the General Store, per the usual lazy routine. The summer camp this week did not appear to be making any preparations for a water shortage. Mrowka declined to say what, if any, action would be taken against San Francisco. At this point, though, the water board isn’t prepared to make an exception. Mrowka said San Francisco could apply for a waiver from the state directive if city officials think it carries a health or safety risk. “They’re expected to cease diversion,” said Kathy Mrowka, the water board’s manager of enforcement. San Francisco’s claim on Canyon Ranch Creek, a tributary of the Tuolumne River in the San Joaquin watershed that serves Camp Mather, wasn’t made until 1927, according to the state. The state water board has determined that, amid a fourth year of drought, there’s too little water now to serve anyone with water rights after 1902 in the San Joaquin River watershed, among other areas. State officials dismissed the protest by San Francisco and others as unfounded, noting that the state is following California water law, which requires users that divert from rivers and creeks to be curtailed in order of seniority. Chemnui Simpson, 8, left, plays ping pong against Kyle Macdonald as Jacob Tom, 6, watches the match Jat Mather Family Camp in Groveland, Calif. The state has warned that it will level fines up to $1,000 per day, and $2,500 per acre-foot of water unlawfully diverted, while filing cease-and-desist orders. None, however, appears to have openly defied demands like San Francisco. In a letter sent to the State Water Resources Control Board on Monday, Ritchie argued that state officials don’t have the authority to stop water draws of those with claims before 1914, when California didn’t require permits for water.Īlready, a handful of San Joaquin Valley irrigation districts that have been told to stop drawing water for farms have filed lawsuits making the same case. The protest comes as the state increasingly, and controversially, targets California’s oldest water-rights holders.

“Our current plans are: Don’t do anything different.” Claire Rogers Lewis, 7, prepares an arrow as her father Kevin Lewis lets one loose during a morning archery session Jat Mather Family Camp in Groveland, Calif.

“We disagree with the state’s actions,” said Steve Ritchie, assistant general manager of water for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

They told The Chronicle this week that they don’t plan to shut off supplies here - at least not immediately - an act of defiance that could place San Francisco alongside Central Valley farmers in taking a stand against the state’s conservation crackdown. Compliance means shutting off the taps at this getaway where generations of Bay Area families have made memories sleeping beneath the stars, a move that would effectively close the camp to thousands more hoping to arrive this season.Ĭity water officials, however, take issue with the state’s directive.

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