How California’s Drought Is Impacting Reservoirs

As California’s record-breaking drought persists, the lack of precipitation and high temperatures are impacting the state’s water supply. Currently, 90 percent of California is experiencing drought conditions. The last major drought in 2015, witnessed California impose a 25 percent statewide cut in water use by urban residents thus its possible restrictions could be forthcoming if drought conditions further deteriorate. In California’s Bay Area, water reservoirs are running extremely low. The Santa Clara Valley Water District, which oversees ten reservoirs in the South Bay, says the reservoirs collectively are at less than 12 percent capacity. “We’re in a really challenging situation,” said Gary Kremen, Vice Chair of Santa Clara Valley Water District. “And if we don’t have a good winter, it’s going to be critical. We’re going to see wells go dry in this county.” To reduce their risk of water shortage, Bay Area officials plan to turn the Pacheco Reservoir from 5,000 acre feet to 140,000 acre feet, although the project is still in its environmental review stage. Going forward, climate change will certainly exacerbate California’s droughts and water supply issue as rising temperatures increase the rate at which ground water evaporates, soil is likely to be drier, and periods without precipitation are likely to increase, according to the EPA. Read more at NBC.