California Drought Watch : A Monthly Look at the Water Shortage

California’s sixth year of drought is now in its second months. The start of the rainy season looked promising, with 120% of normal precipitation statewide, but November has failed to keep pace.

BOTTOM LINE

The El Nino effect in the Pacific hailed as a possible break in the drought is being rated as mild. Despite early snows, there is no end to the dry spell in sight.

VIEWPOINT

“The drought is definitely still with us. We were encourgaged by the rain in late October, which gave us a good beginning. But now. . . we are slipping behind again . . . “

-- Maurice Roos, chief hydrologist, California Dept. of Water Resources

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REPORT

Rainfall this fall has been nearly double last year’s precipitation for the same period. Water conservation campaigns have been so successful that area water suppliers’ profits have taken a dip, leading to widespread requests for rate hikes. In Los Angeles, the conservation goal was exceeded this year by 100%.

STORAGE (in 155 Major Reservoirs): Capacity: 37.6 million acre-feet Normal season: 21.4 Current: 13.1 Driest season on record: 7.5

SACRAMENTO RIVER BASIN: Precipitation in normal season: 9.4” Precipitation this season: 5.7” Driest season on record (1977): 2.0”

EASTERN SIERRA (Measured at Mammoth Pass): Precipitation in normal season: 9.4” Precipitation this season: 5.9” Driest season on record (1977): 2”

Rainfall Yardstick (Season to datee as of Nov. 27) San Francisco: 92% of normal San Diego: 80% of normal Santa Barbara: 21% of normal Los Angeles: 27% of normal Ventura: 19% of normal Santa Ana: 6% of normal

SOURCE: State Dept. of Water Resources, DWP, Santa Barbara Dept. of Water, Johnston Weather Watch.