CALIFORNIA DROUGHT WATCH : A monthly look at the water shortage

With the wet season over, the drought remains a factor outside Southern California. Precipitation up north was only about 70% of normal, low enough for 1992 to go on the books as another critically dry year.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Runoff into reservoirs and rivers will barely top 50% of normal for the year. So while Southern California cities are dropping most water use limits, farms will get far less than their usual water supply for the second straight year. Rationing remains in effect in some Northern California cities.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REPORT

Along with greener lawns, abundant wildflowers and an end to water-use restrictions, the season’s heavy rains brought some dangers. Officials warn that the denser foliage produced by the rains pose a wildfire threat to many homes in the hills and canyons. The wet weather also produced the worst hay fever outbreak in a decade.

FISHING

The devastating effects of six years of drought are a major reason state and federal wildlife officials have severely limited salmon fishing in California. The restrictions shorten the season for commercial fishing, limit the number of fish that sportfishing boats can take, and ban fishing on some parts of the coast.

SACRAMENTO RIVER BASIN As of April 27 Precipitation to date in average season: 44.2” Precipitation this season: 32.6” Driest season on record (1977): 12.0” EASTERN SIERRA Mammoth Pass as of April 27 Precipitation to date in average season: 42.8” Precipitation this season: 26.3” Driest season on record (1977): 9.2” STORAGE In 155 major reservoirs as of April 1 Capacity: 37.6 million acre-feet Normal season: 26.5 Current: 18.4 Driest season on record (1977): 12.9 RAINFALL YARDSTICK Season to date as of April 28 Santa Barbara: 153% of normal Ventura: 136% of normal Los Angeles: 144% of normal San Francisco: 100% of normal Santa Ana: 115% of normal San Diego: 143% of normal Sources: State Dept. of Water Resources, L.A. Dept. of Water and Power, Santa Barbara Dept. of Water, Johnston Weather Watch