The long term drought continues as May was yet another below normal month for precipitation for much of the area. There was some mountain precipitation in the form of rain, but much of it was focused along and east of the crest. Snow pack was at the lowest levels on record and by the end of the month was virtually nonexistent. As a result, reservoirs across the area by the end of the month were at well below normal levels and were already beginning to drop.
Extreme drought was detected by the U.S. Drought Monitor across most the region, with exceptional drought for the northern San Joaquin Valley, the central and southern Sacramento Valley, the Burney Basin and the Sierra south of Interstate 80.
Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency for the entire state of California January 17, 2014 and this continued to be in effect.
As a result of continuing drought conditions, emergency legislation appropriated over $1 billion of additional funds for drought-related projects and activities.|The Administration’s May Revision proposal includes an additional $2.2 billion for programs that protect and expand local water supplies, improve water conservation, and provide immediate relief to impacted communities.
Local Emergency Proclamations have been issued for El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Plumas, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sutter, Tuolumne, and Yuba counties. The cities of Live Oak Lodi, and Ripon continue in a drought emergency. Drought task forces have been established in Butte, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tuolumne, and Yolo counties to coordinate response to the drought.
Mandatory water reductions of 25 percent as ordered by Governor Brown were in effect statewide, the first time such mandatory restrictions have been enacted.
Agriculture has been heavily impacted, with numerous farm and farm related jobs lost. Spring planting is being scaled back significantly, with many existing tree crops and vines being removed due to a lack of irrigation water. The state continued to supply food assistance to those impacted. California Disaster Assistance Act money continued to be provided for those who have lost drinking water due to dry wells.
Construction was begun of a $40 million temporary drought barrier on the West False River in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta was started to keep tidal salt water from contaminating drinking water to Bay Area residents.
Additional impacts included low spring runoff on fisheries and ecological affects on forests and wildlife.