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
Will avalanches in California worsen with climate change?
Scientists say predicting the effects of climate change on avalanches is elusive: Many factors such as temperature, rain and winds are altered by the changing climate. Lower-elevation areas may see fewer avalanches, but uncertainties remain about higher elevations.
Newsom unveils plan to cut California climate funding
Facing big deficits, the governor has proposed taking a bigger chunk out of climate programs in his new budget — about 7% — and spreading the funds over seven years. Climate groups said cutting back on state spending now would cost the state more later.
California’s proposed water conservation rules too stringent and costly, analysts say
Even though California faces serious water shortages, the Legislature’s analysts recommend weaker outdoor conservation requirements and longer deadlines for urban water agencies.
Year in review: Climate change and flooding hit home in California
The state takes more action on climate change in rules and legislation as drought is replaced by flooding.
California approves rules that turn sewage into drinking water
Suppliers now have detailed steps to create a new source of drinking water. But it’s not really “toilet-to-tap.” Due to the cost, it’ll likely be only large suppliers.
‘Things have to change’: State limits water for Klamath Basin farmers to protect salmon
After months of controversy, the water board extended emergency measures restricting irrigation. Tribes and Siskiyou County ranchers and farmers have battled for years over the rivers’ flows.
Western States’ planned water cuts are enough to avert a Colorado River crisis, for now
Wet weather and planned cuts by California, Arizona and Nevada averted declines that could have threatened water deliveries and power production — but long-term threats to the Colorado River remain.
The Bay-Delta ecosystem is collapsing. California just unveiled rival rescue plans
A long-awaited, controversial report weighs updates to standards that state officials say have failed to protect fish and wildlife. But environmentalists, Native tribes and others already are furious about how long this has taken — and the state is years away from putting a plan into action.
Water rights reformers scored only a minor victory in the Legislature
Three measures to overhaul state oversight of water use, giving the state water board more authority over holders of senior water rights, were introduced in the Legislature this year but the most important two died.
California lawmakers move to ban irrigation of some decorative lawns
The irrigation bill, which aims to force businesses and institutions to remove their lawns, now goes to the governor.
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