CALIFORNIA’S DROUGHT CRISIS
LESSONS LEARNED: DROUGHT THEN AND NOW
With California experiencing its second driest year on record, CalMatters investigates what’s improved and what’s worsened since the last drought — and vividly portrays the impacts on California’s places and people.
‘Everyone loses’: Sacramento Valley struggles to survive unprecedented water cuts
Sacramento Valley growers protected for decades by their water rights are suffering for the first time during this record-breaking drought. Wildlife refuges are struggling, too.
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DATA
DROUGHT: THE BASICS
Water in California, explained
Where does our water come from?
It originates as rain and snow. Some falls in Oregon and drains into the Klamath River, and some falls in the vast drainage of the Colorado River. But most of it lands in California — about 200 million acre-feet on average per year.
California Drought and Water Tracker
This dashboard provides current and historical perspective on water issues facing the state using a variety of public available datasets, and explores how droughts are making those issues worse.
MORE DROUGHT COVERAGE
2025 in review: Devastating fires, federal pushback, and contentious climate compromises
In 2025, devastating California wildfires in LA became the state’s most destructive. Climate goals faced federal opposition as Trump blocked clean-car mandates. Refineries closed, water conflicts intensified, and legislators passed compromises.
‘A flood on steroids’: Atmospheric river storms Southern California, threatens debris flow
Atmospheric river threatens to unleash deadly debris flows through LA’s wildfire scars. Officials warn: “Get out of the way.” Evacuations are underway.
Trump move to break up atmospheric research center threatens wildfire, storm predictions
‘This is only going to hurt Americans.’ Scientists, California state officials say the Trump administration’s plans to dismantle a key climate science hub will put public safety at risk.
California cities pay a lot for water; some agricultural districts get it for free
Even among experts the cost of water supplies is hard to pin down. A new study reveals huge differences in what water suppliers for cities and farms pay for water from rivers and reservoirs in California, Arizona and Nevada.
Data centers are putting new strain on California’s grid. A new report estimates the impacts
A new report estimates that California’s data centers are driving increases in electricity use, water demand and pollution even as lawmakers stall on oversight.
No deal on the Colorado River despite Trump administration deadline
The federal government has often set deadlines on the Colorado River, but in recent years has rarely enforced them. Negotiations among California and the six other basin states will now continue into next year, as Arizona ramps up its rhetoric and calls for a firmer hand from the Trump Administration in the talks.
Colorado River talks hit crunch time. What’s at stake for California water?
Western states in the Colorado River basin are racing a federal deadline to hash out the beginnings of an agreement governing the overtapped river. As the clock ticks down, two questions loom large: Just how real is this deadline, and what does it mean for California?
‘Emerging threat’: An invasive species is upending life in the Delta, with no help on the way
One year after the discovery that golden mussels had invaded the Delta, thick colonies coat boats and piers and threaten water supplies for cities and farms. Yet the state has no specific funding or plans to tackle harms in the heart of the invasion.
California may help solar bloom where water runs dry
The state’s farmers are divided over a bill that would loosen rules protecting agricultural land. The goal of a bill proposed by Assembly Democrat Buffy Wicks is to seed solar farms on fallowed fields.
Newsom’s bid to fast-track Delta tunnel stalls again
Water wonks say the proposal to speed the multibillion Delta tunnel project could rise again. ‘This is the zombie offspring of the zombie project,’ one opponent said.
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