After December's rains, California, the nation's most populous region, is in a state of "extreme drought" or "unusual drought" that has finally dropped from 80 percent to a third.
In response to the drought that may continue, California passed a "fairly mild" water restriction order on the 4th local time, including: prohibiting watering the lawn within 48 hours after the rainstorm, or sprinkling water on the sidewalk. The year-long rule, which will take effect as early as the 15th of this month, will face a fine of up to $500.
California experienced an "exceptionally severe drought" last summer, with water levels in more than 1,500 reservoirs across the state 50 percent lower than in the same period a year earlier. Although December rainfall exceeded expectations, experts predict that such weather will be difficult to continue, and the state may still face the test of drought in the first quarter of this year.
Associated Press: As the drought continues, California has introduced water restrictions
The Associated Press and the California local media "Callmatters" reported on the 4th that the California Water Resources Management Commission passed new water restrictions on the same day, imposing restrictions on a series of water use behaviors of local residents. For example, it is forbidden to water the landscaping such as lawns within 48 hours after the rainstorm; it is forbidden to use hoses without closed valves to clean cars; it is forbidden to use drinking water to clean lanes, sidewalks, buildings and patios; it is forbidden to inject drinking water into artificial fountains and lake landscapes.
The new rule, which will take effect as early as Jan. 15, is valid for one year and could face a fine of up to $500 for violators. Penalties may be imposed by local governments and water agencies on a case-by-case basis. Violations will be discovered primarily through complaints, and residents can report their neighbors or other violators on the website, and these complaints will be submitted directly to the local water department.
The Associated Press commented that California's water restrictions were "quite mild."
Eric Oppenheimer, chief deputy director of the California Water Commission, said it makes sense to adopt an emergency water restriction order right now, that "conserving water and reducing water waste are key and necessary habits that everyone must develop" and that "we need to be prepared for a continued drought." Previously, California had dispatched water agency personnel to form a "water police" team to patrol and detect those who did not save water. But Oppenheimer mentioned that California has no plans to deploy "mariners" this time.
Schematic diagram of drought in California, December 21, with the deeper the color, the greater the severity of the drought (from Desert News)
In the past 2021, California, the most populous state in the United States, has once again experienced a long period of "exceptionally severe drought", the water level of reservoirs has dropped to a historic low, and forest fire prevention is facing a huge test. Especially during the summer months, water levels in more than 1,500 reservoirs across the state are 50 percent lower than in the same period a year earlier. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called on residents and businesses to reduce water use by 15 percent in July.
But by data, Newsom's appeal had little effect: California's water use fell by just 6 percent from July to November, with a 6.8 percent drop in November, down from 13.3 percent in October.
It is worth mentioning that in December, California's "long drought and ganlin" ushered in a large-scale precipitation process, and the amount of rain and snow in many areas set a record. In mid-December, 80 percent of California was in an "extreme drought" or "unusually dry" state, with a third left by the end of the month.
California Governor Newsom speaks at a dry reservoir (Photo from California media)
Still, many U.S. meteorologists believe that December's precipitation may not be able to continue, much less completely reverse california's current drought woes.
According to the Los Angeles Times reported on December 30, Lake Oroville, California's second largest reservoir, stopped generating electricity four months ago due to water shortage, and after the water level rose, it resumed power generation on Tuesday (4th). Even so, its water storage is only equivalent to 73% of the average for the same period. The storage capacity of Lake Shasta, California's largest reservoir, is currently only half the average for the same period. The storage capacity of the entire California reservoir last month was only 78% of the average for the same period, 4 percentage points lower than the 2020 value.
Oroville Reservoir, California's second-largest reservoir, was at a low water level at the end of October, with only 30% of the reservoir capacity on December 1 (California Department of Water Resources)
Jeanine Jones, head of interstate resources at California's Department of Water Resources, wants "the good December to go on" because a month of precipitation won't end the drought.
For Michael Anderson, a California climatologist, December's precipitation was just a "false boom." He noted that something similar happened in 2013, with the next two months after December becoming drier than average, leading to a severe drought in California in 2014.
"California is certainly not out of trouble, and this drought is far from over." Sean de Guzman, head of snow surveys at the California Department of Water Resources, said, "We're off to a good start, but there's still a long way to go, and we need more precipitation to get through it." ”
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