As the rain season comes to a close across Northern California, water districts are keeping a close eye on rain totals that are below average, and water managers are explaining what another "dry water year" means for our region.According to California's Department of Water Resources, or DWR, the state is well into its second consecutive dry year. That causes concern among water managers. However, it comes as no surprise."This is typical for California. We're a Mediterranean climate," said DWR information officer Chris Orrock. "We go from historically wet years to historically dry periods."In a recent statement, DWR director Karla Nemeth said, "The Department of Water Resources is working with our federal and state partners to plan for the impacts of limited water supplies this summer for agriculture as well as urban and rural water users. We encourage everyone to look for ways to use water efficiently in their everyday lives.”With the memory of drought years between 2012 and 2016 not too distant, Orrock explained how lessons learned from that time period are still being implemented."It wasn't that long ago that we came out of that historic drought, and California residents really stepped up at the end of that drought," he said. " really started conserving water, and more importantly, using it more efficiently."San Juan Water District general manager Paul Helliker said steps people took to do their part were lasting."People took to heart the lessons that we learned back then, and consumption levels dropped by 30%," he explained. "And they haven't really come back up."Demands on the precious resource of water, however, are made by more than just residents. From the agriculture industry to endangered species protection, water agencies across the state need to think about each interest's need for water from our area's reservoirs."One of the issues that we all have to deal with in the state is the balance between what the environment needs and what people need," Helliker said.He said he's mainly concerned about what happens if next year is dry."If this next coming winter is dry then we're going to be in serious drought control,” Helliker said.Last week, DWR released its State Water Project allocation for the 2021 water year.The department expects to deliver 5% of requested supplies this year. That's down from an initial allocation of 10% announced in December.DWR said it might make adjustments to those allocations after its April 1 snowpack survey.
As the rain season comes to a close across Northern California, water districts are keeping a close eye on rain totals that are below average, and water managers are explaining what another "dry water year" means for our region.
According to California's Department of Water Resources, or DWR, the state is well into its second consecutive dry year. That causes concern among water managers. However, it comes as no surprise.
"This is typical for California. We're a Mediterranean climate," said DWR information officer Chris Orrock. "We go from historically wet years to historically dry periods."
In a recent statement, DWR director Karla Nemeth said, "The Department of Water Resources is working with our federal and state partners to plan for the impacts of limited water supplies this summer for agriculture as well as urban and rural water users. We encourage everyone to look for ways to use water efficiently in their everyday lives.”
With the memory of drought years between 2012 and 2016 not too distant, Orrock explained how lessons learned from that time period are still being implemented.
"It wasn't that long ago that we came out of that historic drought, and California residents really stepped up at the end of that drought," he said. "[They] really started conserving water, and more importantly, using it more efficiently."
San Juan Water District general manager Paul Helliker said steps people took to do their part were lasting.
"People took to heart the lessons that we learned back then, and consumption levels dropped by 30%," he explained. "And they haven't really come back up."
Demands on the precious resource of water, however, are made by more than just residents. From the agriculture industry to endangered species protection, water agencies across the state need to think about each interest's need for water from our area's reservoirs.
"One of the issues that we all have to deal with in the state is the balance between what the environment needs and what people need," Helliker said.
He said he's mainly concerned about what happens if next year is dry.
"If this next coming winter is dry then we're going to be in serious drought control,” Helliker said.
Last week, DWR released its State Water Project allocation for the 2021 water year.
The department expects to deliver 5% of requested supplies this year. That's down from an initial allocation of 10% announced in December.
DWR said it might make adjustments to those allocations after its April 1 snowpack survey.
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March 30, 2021 at 08:35PM
https://www.kcra.com/article/lessons-learned-from-previous-california-drought/35974693
Lessons learned from previous California drought helpful in 'dry years' - KCRA Sacramento
https://news.google.com/search?q=dry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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