Continued dry conditions prompt early warning about potential water shortages

SACRAMENTO – As dry conditions persist throughout California, the State Water Resources Control Board mailed early warning notices March 22, to approximately 40,000 water right holders, urging them to plan for potential shortages by reducing water use and adopting practical conservation measures. Reservoir and groundwater levels are significantly below average, and despite recent storms, snowpack is only 58% of average as of March 10. After two years of below average precipitation, officials said they didn’t expect the April 1 snow survey to reveal significant improvement in the water supply outlook this year. April 1 is typically the peak of California’s snowpack, which in an average year provides 30% of the state’s water supply. “Planting crops and other decisions that