California water officials alert state could meet third straight dry year
Key takeaways:
- California water officials alerted on Tuesday that the state is fixed to meet another dry year after undergoing a substantial absence of snow in January, potentially marking its third straight year of dry situations.
- According to the Department of Water Resources, the state’s overall snowpack estimates 92% of the average for this time of year, an unusual decline from the 160% of average registered a month ago.
- The department’s caution comes as California wrestles with aggravating wildfire seasons, water needs, and historic drought situations fueled by weather change.
California dealing with unusual circumstances:
California water officials cautioned on Tuesday that the state is fixed to meet another dry year after undergoing a notable absence of snow in January, potentially marking its third straight year of dry circumstances.
According to a release by the California Department of Water Resources, the state’s overall snowpack estimates 92% of the average for this time of year, an unusual decline from the 160% of average registered a month ago.
Officials predict that California’s reservoirs will have 76% of the average water hold for this time of year by the end of the month.
The department, which completed its second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station, located around Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, urged citizens to concentrate on water conversation since most of California’s reservoirs are below-average and groundwater reserves are still recuperating.
“We are still in a drought. A fully dry January indicates how fast surpluses can disappear,” DWR’s director Karla Nemeth stated in a statement. “The variability of California climate demonstrates that nothing is assured and further highlights the necessity to preserve and resume preparing for a potential third dry year.”
The department’s notice comes as California wrestles with historic drought circumstances fueled by weather change. It also arrives after a year during which California underwent the second-largest wildfire in state record.