Years of devastating dryness have depleted reservoirs and hurt farms. The deluge may offer a little help
Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Mario Tama/Getty ImagesThe series of storms that have struckhave poured water on a state mired in a years-long drought. Experts say the precipitation will help relieve the drought somewhat. Exactly how much isn’t clear yet and some areas of the state will benefit more than others.
“We are transitioning to a climate that is warming and more arid,” said Jeannie Jones, the interstate resources manager at California department of water resources.Where is the rain helping? Most of the state’s reservoirs remain below average for this time of year, but some have begun to fill, especially those close to the hard-hit Sacramento region and along parts of the Sierra Nevada. The reservoirs are essential for irrigating the Central Valley, a productive stretch of farmland that grows large amounts of fruits, nuts and grains. The reservoirs also supply water to millions of people living in coastal cities.
“The California system was built for a climate we don’t have any more,” said Laura Feinstein, who leads work on climate resilience and environment at Spur, a public policy non-profit.It’s still early in the winter and it’s unclear what the next few months will bring. Last year, statewide snowpack around this time also looked promising. But a few warm, dry months followed, and when snowpack was supposed to peak in early April, it was just 38% of the historic average.
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