California Drought

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California Drought

Updated drought tracker

Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area

Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Area’s largest water districts.

Climate
First California county is fully out of drought
The drought has been long and hard. But the far northwest corner of California has entirely emerged from it. By Kate Galbraith
Climate
Californians approved billions for new water storage. Why hasn’t it gotten built?
The recent storms have created a glut of runoff from rain and snow that could be captured and stored for drier times. But there are obstacles to doing this. By Kurtis Alexander
Native Son
It’s the end of the world as we know it — and we’re fine, San Francisco
We’ve had a long drought broken by a huge series of storms, wildfires that killed dozens of people. We’ve watched the tech boom go bust, a virus that won’t go away, a drug epidemic, an endless homeless crisis. By Carl Nolte
Climate
California reservoir levels: Charts show water supply across the state
California's ongoing drought has significantly reduced the state's water supply. These charts show how much water is stored across 15 of the biggest reservoirs. By Yoohyun Jung, Nami Sumida, Ying Zhao
Bay Area
Is California still in a drought after the epic storms? Here are what maps and charts show
California’s reservoirs are refilling, and its snow pack is over 200% of normal. But it is not yet enough to shake the longstanding drought. By Claire Hao
Bay Area
In extraordinary move, California mulls crackdown on Los Angeles’ water draws at Mono Lake
Despite recent storms, Mono Lake continues to suffer from low lake levels, creating problems for both animal and human residents of the basin. By Kurtis Alexander
Climate
Here’s where California reservoir levels stand after the rains this week
As California gets yet more rain this week, water storage levels are up even from five days ago. But the additions still aren’t enough to reverse the effects of years of drought. By Danielle Echeverria, Nami Sumida and Ying Zhao
Bay Area
Onslaught of Bay Area storms continues — but the end is finally in sight
The end of the devastating string of major winter storms could be in view, forecasters said Wednesday, offering the first hope of a real reprieve from the violent weather cycle that has lashed the state and killed at least 17 people. By Jill Tucker
Native Son
Extreme drought. Excessive rainfall, wind and snow. It’s all part of California’s DNA
Californians, lulled by three years of drought and mild winters, seem to have forgotten one of the dangers of living in in the Golden State: Nature can turn on you in a flash. By Carl Nolte
Weather
Here’s where California reservoirs stand after atmospheric river storms this week
Major reservoirs made gains but still have room for incoming rain. By Jack Lee, Adriana Rezal and Yuri Avila
Weather
Recent rains have improved California’s drought. Where do we stand now?
The latest map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows how drought categories across the state have changed. By Jack Lee
Weather
Storms headed for California are being driven by strongest jet stream seen in years. Here’s what...
A strong jet stream spanning the entire Pacific Ocean is channeling a textbook pineapple express towards California in the next 10 days with moisture levels that the West Coast hasn’t seen in years. Meteorologist Gerry Díaz explains how this... By Gerry Díaz
Weather
How tracking atmospheric rivers could transform California's reservoir levels during drought
Planes deploy sensitive instruments to collect data that improves weather models. By Jack Lee
Climate
California to cover canals with solar panels to combat drought, climate change
A first-in-the-nation project in the Central Valley will test whether putting solar arrays over waterways can significantly save water and generate electricity. By Kurtis Alexander
Bay Area
California drought poses more obstacles to young Russian River coho salmon
Drought poses a threat to endangered native salmon in the Russian River by narrowing their window of time to travel through to the ocean, which limits their feeding opportunities. By Tara Duggan
Weather
Here's what December's stormy weather means for California's drought
Have recent storms made a dent in Northern California and Bay Area drought conditions? We look through the most recent rain and snowfall totals in the region and pan out to what’s ahead. By Gerry Díaz and Annie Vainshtein
Bay Area
Despite rain, Bay Area utilities are cracking down on water waste. One is even shutting off service
Both local water agencies and state regulators are continuing policies that ban several outdoor watering practices out of concern about another year of extreme drought. By Kurtis Alexander
Bay Area
One Berkeley man’s water bill suddenly spiked to $1,300. Why can’t he fight it?
A Berkeley man was shocked to find his water bill had increased by over 300% compared with his average rates. He says he’s not a “water hog,” and he’s gone on a Kafkaesque crusade to correct his bill. By Jessica Flores
Bay Area
California’s big reservoirs projected to meet just 5% of demand next year as drought crisis deepens
The sparse water allocation from the State Water Project is likely to send cities and farms scrambling for alternative supplies. By Kurtis Alexander
Bay Area
Bay Area sports stars among hundreds fined for heavy water use. Here’s why their excess is bad
The East Bay Municipal Utility District issued penalties to more than 600 customers for violating an “excessive use” ordinance enacted because of the drought. By Kurtis Alexander and Jordan Parker
California
California approves large, controversial desalination plant for Monterey Peninsula
The California Coastal Commission approved a development permit for a desalination plant along the Monterey Bay, despite projections for a steep rise in water bills. By Kurtis Alexander
California
Largest dam removal project in U.S. history gets go-ahead in California
Federal regulators have agreed to decommission four dams in Northern California and Southern Oregon, teeing up what will be an extraordinary restoration of the Klamath River. By Kurtis Alexander
Climate
The Monterey area may get a huge desalination plant. Is this the future of California’s water...
The prolonged drought and technological improvements may be changing the attitude of the California Coastal Commission toward desalination in the Monterey Bay area and beyond. By Kurtis Alexander
Bay Area
‘Freaking stoked.’ Tahoe ski season opens with hoots and hollers, and plenty of hope
Excitement was high that this season will be a big one, even if an ongoing drought and less-than-stellar long-term forecasts for snow — not to mention crowds, high lift prices and plenty of traffic jams — may ultimately temper that enthusiasm. By Jill Tucker
Weather
California was in exceptional drought a year ago. After recent rains, where are we now?
Data shows the state was experiencing more extreme drought conditions last fall. By Yoohyun Jung, Gerry Díaz
Bay Area
San Francisco cuts deal with California water regulators to avoid severe restrictions
An agreement reached between water regulators and three of California’s biggest water suppliers, including San Francisco, seeks to protect the state’s rivers from running dry during drought. By Kurtis Alexander
Weather Forecasts
Rain and snow will hit California in November. Will stormy weather be enough to squash drought?
A favorable precipitation outlook that includes rain and snow is on tap for a good chunk of California this month, but it will vary widely across the state. Newsroom meteorologist Gerry Díaz explains if these upcoming rains and winter weather have... By Gerry Díaz
California
Rising cost of water threatens to leave some Californians dry due to unpaid-bill shutoffs
A moratorium on water shutoffs for residents who can’t pay their bills ended earlier this year, leaving many at risk of losing service. By Kurtis Alexander
Bay Area
Hundreds of East Bay homes have been named as using too much water. Many are repeat offenders
The East Bay Municipal Utility District has begun to enforce water caps on households in an effort to conserve water supplies amid three dry years. By Kurtis Alexander and Michael Cabanatuan
Bay Area
Here’s what it’s like for migratory birds trying to fly south through California amid record drought
After three dry years, migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway are having to make high-risk adjustments because of the lack of water on the landscape. By Kurtis Alexander
California
Higher prices for ketchup and spaghetti sauce? California’s drought is hurting tomato farmers
Drought, rising fuel prices, and a changing climate are making tomatoes harder and more expensive to grow. That’s prompting some California farmers to consider raising other, hardier crops that require less irrigation. By Chase DiFeliciantonio
California
A herd of wild horses just moved into this iconic California destination. No one knows what comes...
Wild horses have arrived in the eastern Sierra. No one knows why they came, but officials are urgently debating what to do about them as traffic and ecological worries grow. By Kurtis Alexander
Bay Area
Drought prompts Point Reyes park officials to truck water to thirsty elk
For a second straight year, creeks at the Point Reyes National Seashore have run dry and tule elk have been left without water. By Kurtis Alexander
Bay Area
World War II ‘ghost’ boat found in Shasta Lake. How did it get there?
The receding waters of Shasta Lake have yielded a World War II-era boat that was assigned to the USS Monrovia, which paid a critical role in the invasion of Sicily. How the Higgins boat, a landing craft, ended up in the Northern California... By Michael Cabanatuan
Climate
California drought: Where major reservoir levels stand amid dry spell
Unusual weather in September hasn’t done much to change the state of California’s reservoirs. By Yoohyun Jung