Dismal snowpack in Sierra Nevada

Gov. Jerry Brown speaks to reporters about the executive order he signed requiring the state water board to implement measures in cities and towns to cut water usage by 25%.  (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Gov. Jerry Brown answers a question about the new mandatory water restrictions during a news conference in Echo Summit.  (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

The landscape and light snowpack at Echo Summit tower over the news conference below.  (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, and Gov. Jerry Brown walk across a dry meadow that is usually covered in several inches of snow this time of year near Echo Summit on April 1.  (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

A snowboarder threads his way between patches of dirt at Squaw Valley Ski Resort in Olympic Valley, Calif., on March 21.  (Max Whittaker / Getty Images)

Skiers on a chairlift ride over dry ground at Squaw Valley Ski Resort on March 21.  (Max Whittaker / Getty Images)

Sixteen-year-old Jack Feick of Truckee skims over a pond at Squaw Valley Ski Resort on March 21.  (Max Whittaker / Getty Images)

A skier threads his way through patches of dry ground at Squaw Valley Ski Resort on March 21.  (Max Whittaker / Getty Images)

Skiers slalom down at Squaw Valley Ski Resort.  (Max Whittaker / Getty Images)