This week, KCRA 3 is taking an in-depth look at the state's drought and its impact on the state. On Monday, KCRA 3's chief meteorologist Mark Finan walked viewers through the state's long history with droughts. A question the weather team has been getting asked for the last few months is, "Are we in a drought?" A look at Folsom Lake would show that we definitely are. But is it a drought or just a dry year? Here's a look at the last three rain seasons.In the spring of 2019, California had an abundant snowpack and Sacramento had received 130% of average rainfall.The rain season ending in the spring of 2020 was below average with both rain in the valley and snow in the Sierra. The Sierra snowpack was under 60%. However, that previous wet year in 2019 before got the state through with an adequate water supply. This year has been another dry year with just 63% average snowpack, and Sacramento has been under 40% of average rain.Having two dry years begins to stretch the water supply for the state. We've seen many examples of this in the past, with California locked in a cycle of wet and dry periods. Periods of drought have had various durations and intensities. Back in the early part of the last century, California experienced a drought from 1911 to 1913 with just 44% of average rain over those two years.From 1975 to 1977, California had a drier period than the one we're in now. By the fall of 1977, many reservoirs in our area ran extremely low. Folsom Lake was even lower than it is today. That severe drought ended with a rain season that left Folsom Lake nearly full by the spring of 1978. We now find ourselves in another very dry period and don't know how long it will last.If rain and snow are above average in the next rain season, we'll have adequate water supplies going forward.Places like Folsom Lake also show there's more to the body of water than recreation. It's a critical source for irrigation, domestic use and electrical power generation. All of it will be impacted by this year's drought. | More | What to plant in your Sacramento-area yard as California faces droughtThis story was produced as part of KCRA 3's series "Running Dry."
This week, KCRA 3 is taking an in-depth look at the state's drought and its impact on the state.
On Monday, KCRA 3's chief meteorologist Mark Finan walked viewers through the state's long history with droughts.
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A question the weather team has been getting asked for the last few months is, "Are we in a drought?" A look at Folsom Lake would show that we definitely are.
But is it a drought or just a dry year? Here's a look at the last three rain seasons.
In the spring of 2019, California had an abundant snowpack and Sacramento had received 130% of average rainfall.
The rain season ending in the spring of 2020 was below average with both rain in the valley and snow in the Sierra. The Sierra snowpack was under 60%.
However, that previous wet year in 2019 before got the state through with an adequate water supply.
This year has been another dry year with just 63% average snowpack, and Sacramento has been under 40% of average rain.
Having two dry years begins to stretch the water supply for the state.
We've seen many examples of this in the past, with California locked in a cycle of wet and dry periods. Periods of drought have had various durations and intensities.
Back in the early part of the last century, California experienced a drought from 1911 to 1913 with just 44% of average rain over those two years.
From 1975 to 1977, California had a drier period than the one we're in now. By the fall of 1977, many reservoirs in our area ran extremely low. Folsom Lake was even lower than it is today.
That severe drought ended with a rain season that left Folsom Lake nearly full by the spring of 1978.
We now find ourselves in another very dry period and don't know how long it will last.
If rain and snow are above average in the next rain season, we'll have adequate water supplies going forward.
Places like Folsom Lake also show there's more to the body of water than recreation. It's a critical source for irrigation, domestic use and electrical power generation. All of it will be impacted by this year's drought.
| More | What to plant in your Sacramento-area yard as California faces drought
This story was produced as part of KCRA 3's series "Running Dry."
May 11, 2021 at 09:53AM
https://www.kcra.com/article/running-dry-californias-history-of-droughts/36389194
Running Dry: California's history of droughts - KCRA Sacramento
https://news.google.com/search?q=dry&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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