The State - News from May 1, 1989

Supervisors of Kings County have declared the county a “water-deficient disaster area,” and officials are beginning to work on conservation measures. The board made the declaration after receiving a report that available surface supplies are far below normal in the third drought year for the San Joaquin Valley and adjacent central and southern Sierra Nevada. Cheryl Lehn, manager of the Kings County Water District, said the Kings River has 53% of a normal water supply and that percentage probably will decline further, because April has been another drier-than-normal month. She said water in the Tule River is at 37% of normal for this time of year. Lehn said the water district is beginning to emphasize conservation measures. Small cards are being sent to restaurants to put on tables telling customers that water will be served only if requested.