February 24, 2014
The California Drought Update is compiled by the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) to keep media and other audiences current on drought conditions, impacts, news and other developments. Please visit ACWA’s website for additional information and resources.
Drought Pushes CVP 2014 Water Allocations to Record Lows
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on Friday announced some of lowest initial water allocations on record for the Central Valley Project (CVP), with agricultural water service contractors both north and south of the Delta expected to receive none of their water allocations this year. The zero percent initial allocation forecast for agricultural users is a first for the CVP project and did not occur during the record-setting drought of 1977. Reclamation cited California’s unprecedented drought in making the announcement. Read more…
Governor, State Leaders Introduce $687 Million Emergency Drought Legislation
Gov. Jerry Brown and leaders of the state Legislature introduced emergency legislation Feb. 19 that would provide $687 million to local communities for drought-related assistance and water projects. The funding would support shovel-ready water projects that improve water supply through recycling, storm water capture, groundwater recharge and other means; bring aid to communities and workers impacted by the drought; and help secure emergency drinking water supplies for communities that are severely impacted. Read more…
Hearing Examines Impact of Drought on Drinking Water Systems
Local and state officials discussed the impact of California’s drought on vulnerable drinking water systems and explored ways to shore up threatened water supplies during an Assembly hearing Feb. 18. The joint hearing of the Assembly Environmental Safety & Toxic Materials Committee and the Assembly Health Committee featured state and local officials who have been working to solve drinking water shortage problems caused by the drought. Read more…
DWR, NASA Sponsoring Workshop on Remote Sensing in Drought
The California Department of Water Resources and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are sponsoring a two-day workshop this week on remote sensing applications for quantifying drought impacts and managing water resources during drought conditions. The workshop, which is free and open to the public, will highlight the partnership between NASA and DWR to develop remote sensing applications and will also include an update from the National Integrated Drought Information System. The workshop is set for Tuesday and Wednesday at the Sacramento Convention Center. A media availability precedes the workshop at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Read more…
State Board Workshop to Discuss Immediate Drought Response Options
The State Water Resources Control Board will convene a public workshop Wednesday on the topic of drought response options, including actions to increase water conservation and recycling. The session follows workshops last week to receive input on an emergency petition filed by the Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and potential water curtailment actions. Read more…
Infographic Shows Drought’s Impact on California Agriculture
A new infographic by the California Farm Water Coalition illustrates potential impacts of the drought on California’s agricultural economy. The graphic notes that water shortages will affect agricultural output, jobs and economic activity in related industries such as trucking, shipping and food processing. Read more…
Drought Resources
Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Drought Page
State Water Resources Control Board Drought Year Water Actions Page
Daily Reservoir Storage Summary
California Reservoir Conditions
Central Valley Project Water Supply Information
General information about California Water
Tags: drought