California Drought Watch : A monthly look at the water shortage
Heavy snow and rain in February were followed by a promising first week of March. Precipitation in the all-important Sacramento River Basin reached 71% of normal and the statewide snowpack is at 70%, which will begin to refill reservoirs.
The Bottom Line
For the record:
12:00 a.m. March 12, 1992 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday March 12, 1992 Home Edition Part A Page 3 Column 5 Metro Desk 2 inches; 40 words Type of Material: Correction
Drought statistics--The Sacramento River Basin figures that ran in the Drought Watch graphic in Wednesday’s editions of The Times were incorrect. This season’s precipitation through March 5 has been 25.5 inches. Precipitation for the same period in an average season is 36 inches.
Officials have begun to ease water rationing for many homes and farms, but caution that some restrictions will remain necessary unless the wet weather continues.
Storage / In 155 major reservoirs as of March 1, 1992 Capacity: 37.6 million acre-feet Normal season: 25.1 Current: 16.0 Driest season on record (1977): 13.0
Rainfall Yardstick / Season to date as of March 5, 1992. A. Santa Barbara: 165% of normal B. Ventura: 140% C. Los Angeles: 143% D. San Francisco: 93% E. Santa Ana: 110% F. San Diego: 152%
Sacramento River Basin: As of March 5 1992 Precipitation to date in average season: 36.0” Precipitation this season: 25.5” Driest season on record (1977): 8.65”
Eastern Sierra: Mammoth Pass as of March 5, 1992 Precipitation to date in average season: 35.9” Precipitation this season: 24.2” Driest season on record (1977): 6.7”
Farm Report
Both of the big water suppliers to farms--the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project--have canceled their recent doomsday predictions and promised more water for crops this year. Though most growers can expect less than their normal ration of water, few if any will be cut off.
Viewpoint
“We are just plain excited by the dramatic improvement in snowpack and corresponding increase in phone calls. And if the present rainfall pattern continues, we will have a truly outstanding river-running season that will be talked about for decades.”
--William McGinnis, founder, Whitewater Voyages river rafting company, El Sobrante, Calif.
Sources: State Dept. of Water Resources, DWP, Santa Barbara Dept. of Water, Johnston Weather Watch.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
