FRESNO, California.- In mid-February, an image from space revealed the dramatic drought experiencing the golden state. And is that winter 2020-21 was one of the driest winters in the last three years, according to the OntheSnow.com site. In fact, groundwater reserves are significantly below average.
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The State Water Resources Control Board sent this Monday early warning notices regarding the drought, and the eventuality of cuts in service to 40 thousand holders of water rights in California.
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The notification urges water rights owners to take action and plan actions to conserve the vital element. According to the latest snow cover records, and despite recent snowfalls, ” snow cover was only 58% of the average as of March 10, “says the press release from the State Water Control Board.
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After two years of below-average rainfall, authorities do not believe that there will be significant improvements by April 1. This date is usually the peak of the snow cover in California, which in an average year provides 30% of the state’s water supply. SHowever, this 2021 will be different.
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On February 18, images from NOAA’s ESRI satellite revealed that 70% of the country was covered in snowwhile California was extremely dry.
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Cuts in service?
Erik Ekdahl, deputy director of the Water Rights Division of the Water Board said that “early warnings are vital,” explaining that the letters sent to the owners of water rights are intended to “Give water holders time to prepare and help minimize the impacts of reduced supplies on businesses, farms and homes”.
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Users can implement actions to improve drought, including reducing irrigated area, managing herd size, using innovative irrigation and diversifying water supply portfolios, says the State Water Board.
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Meanwhile, urban water users can conserve water by reducing outdoor irrigation and replacing older home appliances and fixtures with more efficient ones.
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Kern County is in severe drought conditions
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