Drought in California, October 8 to 31, 2021

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved much of Zone 13 to D3 and kept D4 in the far northwestern and southwestern portions of Shasta County that border Zone 13. The majority of zone 13 was in extreme drought (D3) with the remaining areas of Zone 13 remaining in exceptional drought (D4).The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. All of Zone 13 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. The countywide drought emergency declared by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors in June continues, including the water conservation program. As of July 1st, fire restrictions on public lands were put in place until further notice. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. Concern was noted that nearly all endangered winter-run Chinook salmon could perish this fall. August 11th DWR, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, directed $25 million to 10 small water systems including Shasta County. The funds will support a range of projects including emergency water system repairs, infrastructure such as new wells and water storage tanks, and improvements to intakes and distribution systems. Drought conditions may continue to improve with the start of the new water year that started October 1st.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved much of Zone 14 and kept D4 for the northern most portion of the zone which covers eastern Shasta County. The majority of Zone 14 was in extreme drought (D3) with the remaining areas of Zone 14 remaining in exceptional drought (D4). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. All of zone 14 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. The countywide drought emergency declared by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors in June continues, including the water conservation program. On July 1st, fire restrictions on public lands were put in place until further notice. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. August 11th DWR, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, directed $25 million to 10 small water systems including Shasta County. The funds will support a range of projects including emergency water system repairs, infrastructure such as new wells and water storage tanks, and improvements to intakes and distribution systems. Drought conditions may continue to improve with the start of the new water year that started October 1st.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved the northwestern boundary of Zone 15, which includes portions of Shasta and Tehama counties, to exceptional drought (D3) and kept the remaining areas of Zone 15 in exceptional drought (D4). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. Some of the impacts the region continues to see include: 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. All of zone 15 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. The countywide drought emergency declared by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors in June continues, including the water conservation program. As of July 1st, fire restrictions on public lands were put in place until further notice. An emergency resolution made on July 14th by the Tehama County Board of Supervisors continues that allows residents with dry wells to purchase water directly from the county. Farmers planted about 100,000 fewer acres of rice in the Sacramento Valley, leading to less food and increased potential for disease for birds migrating through the Pacific Flyway. Concern was noted that nearly all endangered winter-run Chinook salmon could perish this fall. Drought has also reduced California’s almond harvest by 13%. August 11th DWR, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, directed $25 million to 10 small water systems including Shasta County. The funds will support a range of projects including emergency water system repairs, infrastructure such as new wells and water storage tanks, and improvements to intakes and distribution systems. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. As of October 1st, The Redding area and Red Bluff recorded their record driest water year at 14.24 inches and 9.48 inches respectively. However, drought conditions may continue to improve with the start of the new water year that started October 1st.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor continued to have all of zone 16 in exceptional drought (D4). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. Some of the impacts to the region included: reduced forage, decreased water allocation, decreased stock weights, selling of livestock, completely dry wells, hauling water, and low to dry rivers/ponds/springs. All of zone 16 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. On July 1st, fire restrictions on public lands were put in place until further notice. The Nevada Irrigation District continues its mandatory 20 percent water-use reduction for both raw and treated water customers. Glenn County bottled water distribution program that started on July 12th for residents impacted by dry wells continues. The 45-day moratorium on agricultural well drilling in Glenn County that started on July 21st continues. Butte county continues a local drought emergency in the county declared in July. By July 23rd The Office of Emergency Services reported 117 dry wells, 75% of which were family homes. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. Concern was noted that nearly all endangered winter-run Chinook salmon could perish this fall. By July 23rd, all paved boat ramps on Lake Oroville were closed due to low water levels. On August 5th DWR State Water Project operations managers reported the Hyatt Powerplant at Lake Oroville is offline due to falling lake levels. This is the first time Hyatt Powerplant has gone offline as a result of low lake levels. Drought has also reduced California’s almond harvest by 13%. Farmers planted about 100,000 fewer acres of rice in the Sacramento Valley, leading to less food and increased potential for disease for birds migrating through the Pacific Flyway. Drought conditions may continue to improve with the start of the new water year that started October 1st.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor continued to have all of zone 17, which includes portions Yolo, Solano, Sutter, and Sacramento County in exceptional drought (D4). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. The area saw: reduced forage, decreased water allocation, decreased stock weights, selling of livestock, hauling of water, low rivers/ponds/springs, and installation of new wells. All of zone 17 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. The Nevada Irrigation District continues its mandatory 20 percent water-use reduction for both raw and treated water customers. As of July 7th, the city of Sacramento asked residents and businesses to voluntarily reduce their water use by 10 percent. As of July 28th a local drought emergency proclaimed in Yolo County continues after one-fifth of the county’s wells reached an all-time low. Concern was noted that nearly all endangered winter-run Chinook salmon could perish this fall. Drought has also reduced California’s almond harvest by 13%. Farmers planted about 100,000 fewer acres of rice in the Sacramento Valley, leading to less food and increased potential for disease for birds migrating through the Pacific Flyway. Ranchers are seeing 10-25% reduction in herds due to feed shortages. By July, the waters of Folsom Lake receded low enough to reveal Mormon Island, a Gold Rush village, settled in the 1840s by prospectors. Starting August 9, Roseville residents are required to reduce their water use by 20%. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. As of October 1st, Sacramento Executive Airport recorded its record driest water year at 6.61 inches. However, drought conditions may improve with the start of the new water year that started October 1st.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept all of zone 18 in exceptional drought (D4). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. Farmers north and south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta will continue to receive no water from the Central Valley Project. All of zone 18 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. The Delta cross channel gates remain closed. Concern was noted that nearly all endangered winter-run Chinook salmon could perish this fall. Drought has also reduced California’s almond harvest by 13%. Farmers planted about 100,000 fewer acres of rice in the Sacramento Valley, leading to less food and increased potential for disease for birds migrating through the Pacific Flyway. Ranchers are seeing 10-25% reduction in herds due to feed shortages. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept the majority of Zone 19 in exceptional drought (D4) with only a small portion of the far southwestern part of Stanislaus County of Zone 19 in extreme drought (D3). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. All of zone 19 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. Ranchers are seeing 10-25% reduction in herds due to feed shortages. Drought has also reduced California’s almond harvest by 13%. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor continued exceptional drought (D4) for roughly half of zone 63, which covers western Tehama, Glenn, and Colusa counties, and kept all of the remaining parts of the Zone 63 in extreme drought (D3). The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. All of zone 63 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. The countywide drought emergency declared by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors in June continues, including the water conservation program. On July 1st, fire restrictions on public lands were put in place until further notice. Glenn County bottled water distribution program that started on July 12th for residents impacted by dry wells continues. The 45-day moratorium on agricultural well drilling in Glenn County that started on July 21st continues. An emergency resolution made on July 14th by the Tehama County Board of Supervisors continues that allows residents with dry wells to purchase water directly from the county. Ranchers also reported a 10-25% reduction in herds due to feed shortages. August 11th DWR, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, directed $25 million to 10 small water systems including Shasta County. The funds will support a range of projects including emergency water system repairs, infrastructure such as new wells and water storage tanks, and improvements to intakes and distribution systems. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved the drought condition of Zone 67 to extreme drought (D3), which covers the northeast foothills and portions of the Sacramento Valley. The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. All of zone 66 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. The countywide drought emergency declared by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors in June continues, including the water conservation program. As of July 1st, fire restrictions on public lands were put in place until further notice. Butte county continues a local drought emergency in the county declared in July. An emergency resolution made on July 14th by the Tehama County Board of Supervisors continues that allows residents with dry wells to purchase water directly from the county. Ranchers also reported a 10-25% reduction in herds due to feed shortages. August 11th DWR, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, directed $25 million to 10 small water systems including Shasta County. The funds will support a range of projects including emergency water system repairs, infrastructure such as new wells and water storage tanks, and improvements to intakes and distribution systems. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. Drought conditions may continue to improve with the start of the new water year that started October 1st.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved the northeastern portion of Zone 67 to extreme drought (D3) and kept the remaining areas of Zone 67 in exceptional drought (D4), which covers the Motherlode. The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. The area continued to see: reduced forage, decreased water allocation, decreased stock weights, and hauling of water. All of zone 67 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. The Nevada Irrigation District continues its mandatory 20 percent water-use reduction for both raw and treated water customers. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved the drought condition of Zone 68 to extreme drought (D3), which includes the eastern portions of Tehama, Butte and Shasta counties (Lassen National Park) and western Plumas County. The zone continued to see much of the same impacts already effecting the region. They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. All of zone 68 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. The countywide drought emergency declared by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors in June continues, including the water conservation program. As of July 1st the Nevada Irrigation District approved a mandatory 20 percent water-use reduction for both raw and treated water customers. As of July 1st, fire restrictions on public lands were put in place until further notice. Butte county continues a local drought emergency in the county declared in July. An emergency resolution made on July 14th by the Tehama County Board of Supervisors continues that allows residents with dry wells to purchase water directly from the county. August 11th DWR, in coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, directed $25 million to 10 small water systems including Shasta County. The funds will support a range of projects including emergency water system repairs, infrastructure such as new wells and water storage tanks, and improvements to intakes and distribution systems. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. Drought conditions may continue to improve with the start of the new water year that started October 1st.

For the month of October, the U.S. Drought Monitor improved the drought condition of much of Zone 69 which covers the upper foothills into the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. The northwestern portion of Zone 69 was improved to extreme drought (D3), the far eastern portions of Placer and El Dorado counties to severe drought (D2) and kept the remainder of the southern portion of the zone in exceptional drought (D4). They continue to mention impacts to: agriculture, water supplies, recreation, and ecosystems. All of zone 69 is in the official drought emergency proclamation. On July 1st, fire restrictions on public lands were put in place until further notice. Effective on August 19, the State Water Resources Control Board released an emergency curtailment order that would deprive thousands of farmers of the use of rivers and streams in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. Drought conditions may continue to improve with the start of the new water year that started October 1st.