California Cautions Conservers: Rain Will Not End Drought
Weather forecasts were predicting rain in all parts of the state recently, but Lester Snow, director of the California Department of Water Resources, was not impressed.
He issued the following statement: "Weather forecasters are predicting rain this week in both Northern and Southern California. However, it is important for Californians to understand that a small rainstorm will not end our water problems. We will still be in a drought. We all need to continue to conserve water at our homes and our places of work.
"Because of two back-to-back severely dry years, not even one extremely wet winter will end California's drought. We would need several above average years to replenish our reservoirs and groundwater supply. Despite this weekend's bit of rain, long-range weather forecasts predict 2009 to be another dry year for California, making it essential that we save water in every possible way."
In June, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a statewide drought, which directed state agencies and departments to take immediate action. He also issued a Central Valley State of Emergency Proclamation for Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties to address that area's urgent water needs.
For additional information, visit www.water.ca.gov/drought.