Drought in California, May 1 to 31, 2021

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor put part of San Joaquin County, zone 19, in exceptional drought (D4). The rest of the zone was placed into extreme drought (D3).They continue to mention that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 19 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed roughly half of zone 63, which covers western Tehama, Glenn, and Colusa counties in exceptional drought (D4) while the rest of the zone remains in extreme drought (D3). They continue to mention that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 63 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor put all of zone 18 in exceptional drought (D4). They continue to mention that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. A giant rock wall will be constructed across a river in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to protect a vital freshwater estuary from saltwater as rivers become too low to push the brackish waters from the bay. The $30 million barrier will be built in the same place as it was in 2015 on the West False River to keep saltwater away from pumping stations. This will protect a water source for nearly 30 million Californians. Construction slated to begin by June 1 and be complete by July 1. The barrier will be removed before Nov. 30. Farmers north and south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta will receive no water from the Central Valley Project. The agency previously had forecast a 5% allocation. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 18 in the official drought emergency proclamation. The Delta cross channel gates were closed on May 20th.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor put all of zone 17, which includes portions Yolo, Solano, Sutter, and Sacramento County in exceptional drought (D4). They continue to mention that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. Sacramento residents have been asked to reduce their water usage by 10%. The area saw: reduced forage, decreased water allocation, decreased stock weights, selling of livestock, early shipping of cattle to summer range, hauling of water, low rivers/ponds/springs, and installation of new wells. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 17 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor put all of zone 16 in exceptional drought (D4). They continue to mention that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. Some of the impacts to the region included: removal of houseboats from Lake Oroville, reduced forage, decreased water allocation, decreased stock weights, selling of livestock, early shipping of cattle to summer range, hauling water, and low to dry rivers/ponds/springs. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 16 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor put all of zone 15, portions of Shasta and Tehama counties, into exceptional drought (D4).They continue to mention that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. The Bella Vista Water District reported penalties unless water usage reduced by 10%. Some of the other impacts the region saw included: reduced forage, decreased stock weights, selling of livestock, livestock stress, reduced grazing on public lands, reduced market price for cattle, and increased pricing for small grain and hay crops. The area also saw: decreased water allocation, hauling of water, increased groundwater use, land subsidence, low to dry rivers/ponds/springs, dry wells, and installation of new wells. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 15 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed zone 14, which covers northeast Shasta County, in both extreme and exceptional drought (D3 and D4).They mentioned that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 14 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed the majority of zone 13, which covers Shasta County, in exceptional drought (D4). They continue to mention that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. Shasta Lake storage levels remain low and the city of Shasta Lake had its water allocation cut by 45% forcing acquisition of alternative water sources. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 13 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed zone 66, which covers the northeast foothills and portions of the Sacramento Valley, in both extreme and exceptional drought (D3 and D4).They mentioned that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 66 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed zone 67, which covers the Motherlode, in extreme drought (D3 ).They mentioned that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. The area saw: reduced forage, decreased water allocation, decreased stock weights, and hauling of water. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 67 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed zone 68, which covers the western Plumas County and Lassen National Park, in extreme drought (D3 ).They mentioned that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 68 in the official drought emergency proclamation.

For the month of May, the U.S. Drought Monitor placed zone 68, which covers the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, in extreme drought (D3 ).They mentioned that we will see drought impacts expand into the summer, including but not limited too: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. They also started noting concern for the upcoming wildfire season and that drought preparedness is key since given back-to-back dry years. On May 8th, Tuolumne County proclaimed a local emergency due to drought. On May 10th, governor Gavin Newsom included all of zone 69 in the official drought emergency proclamation.