header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 25
1906 - Bercaw General Store opens in Surrey (Saugus) [story]
Bercaw Store


By Matthew Renda, Courthouse News

One year after record rainfall quenched California’s persistent thirst and led its lawmakers to declare a devastating five-year drought over, water woes may have already returned to the Golden State.

The state’s monthly snow survey taken Thursday showed a skimpy snowpack throughout the state, while a federal report says about half of the state is suffering from a moderate drought and some regions are already experiencing severe drought.

“Today’s measurements indicate an anemic snowpack to date,” said Frank Gehrke, who conducted Thursday’s survey on behalf of the California Department of Water Resources.

Despite an uptick of precipitation in January, most of it fell as rain in the Sierra rather than snow. A strong snowpack that melts incrementally over the spring and even into the summer is critical in replenishing the many reservoirs that supply California’s water during the dry summers.

The statewide snowpack, gauged by a network of about 100 measurement stations throughout the state, is at 27 percent of normal. At Phillips, just southwest of Lake Tahoe near Echo Summit, the snowpack measured a meager 2.6 inches – just 14 percent of historic averages for early February at the alpine location.

Historically, December, January and February are the wettest months for the state, so the possibility of a couple of drought-busting storms marching through the thirsty region remains.

“There is still the possibility of a wet February and March,” Gehrke said.

The U.S. Drought Monitor’s report showed a significant jump in the amount of the state considered under drought. At the beginning of January, just 12 percent of the state was experiencing drought conditions. That figure now stands at 44 percent.

Even worse news is that 75 percent of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

The area around Santa Barbara, which experienced the largest wildfire in state history followed by devastating mudslides which killed at least 21 people has also been hardest hit by drought.

California is only one year removed from one of the worst droughts in state history, with five consecutive years of below-average precipitation coupled with warm winter temperatures that weakened snowpack totals.

At the worst of the drought, Governor Jerry Brown called for cities and towns to cut their water use by 25 percent. Conservation returned to the lips of state water officials on Thursday.

“California experiences the most variable weather in the nation,” said Department of Water Resources director Karla Nemeth. “It’s vital that water conservation efforts remain consistent regardless of the year’s precipitation.”

The snowpack provides about 30 percent of California’s water needs.

Despite the specter of drought, most of the state’s reservoirs are at 100 percent or more of average, thanks in large part to the enormous amount of rainfall last winter.

Forecasts call for clear skies in the immediate future, with a possibility of storms mid-month.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

9 Comments

  1. Travis Levy says:

    Drought???? What drought??? If there is a drought then why is my city wanting to expand and bring in 21,000 homes and 1000’s of square feet for industrial use. So either this article is fake news or our city is completely insane for wanting to expand so recklessly.

  2. justus says:

    So i guess the drought wasn’t really gone then…

  3. Brian says:

    “New Drought?” This is the same drought. One year of above average rainfall does not erase years of drought. We had relief for a few months and are now back to “normal.” Drought for the foreseeable future.

  4. Travis Levy says:

    Take 2. If were in need of water then STOP building and expanding SCV till we can have the proper amount of water.

    Was that better SCVNEWS???

  5. I see water rates on the rise.

  6. Karen Patti Karen Patti says:

    They never went down. When we were getting rain they still charged us a lot

  7. Well if Brown didnt dump the excess water in the ocean and invest in water banking it wouldnt be an issue. Spend spend spend is all he does. Never conserves or saves money for us Californians.

  8. Hummm, April Showers bring may flowers!! That what my mother said!!

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024
Newsom Appoints SCV Resident Veterans Home Administrator
Santa Clarita resident Edina Lemus has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California in Lancaster by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024
Barger, Wilk Recognize Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
State Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) and Supervisor Kathryn Barger honor the memory of those lost 109 years ago in Armenian Genocide. 
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Santa Clarita resident Edina Lemus has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California in Lancaster by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom Appoints SCV Resident Veterans Home Administrator
1906 - Bercaw General Store opens in Surrey (Saugus) [story]
Bercaw Store
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond testified today in the Senate Education Committee about the need for results-proven training for all teachers of reading and math.
State Superintendent Makes Historic Push for Results-Proven Training in Literacy, Math as Sponsor of SB 1115
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
Ocean Water Warning for April 24
Dust off the boots and get ready to holler, because Boots In The Park making its way to back to Santa Clarita, y’all. 
May 10: Boots In the Park Returns to Santa Clarita
State Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) and Supervisor Kathryn Barger honor the memory of those lost 109 years ago in Armenian Genocide. 
Barger, Wilk Recognize Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
The Salvation Army Santa Clarita Valley Corps is excited to announce the inaugural Donut Day event.
June 7: Salvation Army SCV Announces Inaugural Donut Day Event
The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation has approved $370,000 in funding to support the Vet@ThePark program operated by the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control.
LAC Animal Care Foundation Provides $370K Grant to Support Vet@ThePark
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging Californians to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27.
CDPH Urges Californians to Support Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion, introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath, proclaiming May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Los Angeles County.
Supes Proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Month
The Grammy-award winning rock ‘n’ roll group Blues Traveler will take the stage of the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. May 9. 
May 9: Blues Traveler to Perform at PAC
1962 - SCV residents vote to connect to State Water Project, creating Castaic Lake Water Agency (now part of SCV Water) [story]
Castaic Lake
Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a statement in support of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer’s presentation of a $45.4 billion budget for the forthcoming 2024-25 fiscal year.
Kathryn Barger | Statement in Support of $45.4B County Budget
In a celebration held Tuesday, April 23 at the Port of Barcelona, award-winning actress and performer Hannah Waddingham officially welcomed the newest and most innovative Princess Cruises ship, Sun Princess, serving as godmother during a star-studded naming ceremony.
Hannah Waddingham Officially Christens Sun Princess
Six comprehensive high schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District which includes Canyon, Golden Valley, Hart, Saugus, Valencia and West Ranch have been ranked among the top public high schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
Hart District High Schools Recognized Best in Nation
College of the Canyons will offer four summer sessions running from June 3 through Aug. 17, giving students a variety of options in both class format and scheduling designed to help them achieve their educational goals, from launching a new career to transferring to a four-year university.
COC Offers Four Summer Sessions for Flexible Learning Options
California State Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced his measure to combat illegal dumping, by increasing penalties and closing a loophole which has enabled the problem for years, was approved in the Senate Public Safety Committee.
Wilk’s Illegal Dumping Bill Approved by Committee
Super Jazz at the Ranch, a daylong jazz festival hosted by West Ranch High School, is happening Saturday, May 18. Music will fill the air as performers from throughout the region showcase their talents.
May 18: Super Jazz Festival at West Ranch High School
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, has presented The Healthy Homework Act (AB 2999) to the Assembly Education Committee.
Schiavo Presents Healthy Homework Act to Prioritize Mental, Physical Health
The city of Santa Clarita has notified the public that the playground at West Creek Park, 24247 Village Circle Drive, Valencia, CA 91354, is currently closed for repairs on the rubberized surface.
West Creek Park Playground Closed for Repairs
The Santa Clarita Valley Media Collaborative invites local creatives, media industry professionals, students, parents, teachers and others to celebrate the next generation of media makers participating in the inaugural NextGen MediaMakers Festival on Saturday, May 18 from 2-5 p.m. at the Canyon Country Community Center.
May 18: NextGen MediaMakers Festival Invites Creatives, Students, Experts to Celebrate Media
1986 - COC board votes to allow Argentine cliff swallows to nest forever on sides of buildings [story]
swallows
As Volunteer Appreciation Week approaches, the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to all its dedicated volunteers who tirelessly contribute to DACC's mission of advancing the well-being of animals and people in the County.
DACC Pays Recognition to Volunteers
SCVNews.com