51% of California No Longer in a Drought

This confirms what we expected after a ferocious rainy season that wreaked havoc throughout much the state. 

Key facts:

• Just one year ago only 5% of the state was drought free
• Sierra snowpack stands at 179% of its historic average (the biggest in 22 years)
• San Joaquin Valley and most of Southern California remains in a “moderate drought”.
• Much of Santa Barbara and Ventura county areas is in severe drought or extreme drought. Although that statistic is down from 2016.

In case you want to know where your water comes a KQED website has an interactive map.  Check it out.

Do you want to know where your water comes from?

The list below give you an in depth look at how full our reservoirs are

*based on 2017 average percentage capacity

Felicia Marcus, Chair of the State Water Board has expressed relief that water conditions have improved so dramatically, but state policy makers remain cautious.  They voted to continue with mild drought rules and re-evaluate in May.  We will know more about any irrigation regulations by that time.  And, water conservation will likely to be an important issue.

At this time:

Water agencies are still required to report use each month

Wasteful practices such as hosing off pavements and use of hoses without nozzles remain banned.

Sources for this article: San Jose Mercury News, NOAA, KQED.