For Californians
- 2009 Drought Actions
- Water Saving Tips for Home Owners
- Information for Private Well Owners
- 20x2020 Agency Team on Water Conservation
- Governor's Drought Proclamation
- Governor's Drought Emergency Declarations
For Water Agencies
- 2009 Drought Water Bank
- 2008 Drought Report
- 2008 Urban Drought Guidebook
- Preparing for California's Next Drought
- Critical Water Shortage Contingency Plan
- Colorado River Basin Climate Report
- California Hydroclimatic Reconstructions
Drought Resources
DWR Drought Links
Other Drought Links
- California Urban Water Conservation Council
- Agricultural Water Management Council
- California Rural Water Association
- DPH Small Water System Support
- Association of California Water Agencies
- California Water Awareness Campaign
State Agency Links
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California is facing the most significant water crisis in its history. After experiencing two years of drought and the driest spring in recorded history, water reserves are extremely low. With the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem near collapse, court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries from the Delta have reduced supplies from the state's two largest water systems by twenty to thirty percent. Drought conditions in the Colorado River Basin and a Sierra snowpack that is now dangerously unreliable due to global climate change, is leaving many communities throughout California facing mandatory restrictions on water use and/or rising water bills. If the drought continues into next year, the results could be catastrophic to our economy. In June 2008, the Governor issued Executive
Order S-06-08 declaring a statewide drought, which directed his state agencies and departments
to take immediate action to address the serious drought conditions and water delivery reductions
that exist in California. He also issued a Central Valley
State of Emergency Proclamation for nine Central Valley counties (Sacramento, San Joaquin,
Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern) to address urgent water needs. |
California's Drought - What's New... Invitation to Water Sellers Where does my water come from? Water and Fire Keynote Address Drought Preparedness Webcast |
2009 Drought Water Bank
To help facilitate the exchange of water throughout the state, DWR has established a 2009 Drought Water
Bank. To implement the 2009 Drought Water Bank DWR will purchase water from willing sellers primarily
from water suppliers upstream of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This water will be transferred
using State Water Project (SWP) or Central Valley Project (CVP) facilities to water suppliers that are
at risk of experiencing water shortages in 2009 due to drought conditions and that require supplemental
water supplies to meet anticipated demands.
Learn more about the 2009 Drought Water Bank...
Frequently asked questions about the 2009 Drought Water Bank...
Sellers powerpoint for 2009 Drought Water Bank
Buyers powerpoint for 2009 Drought Water Bank
Draft White Paper on Introduction to Water Transfers and Crop Idling and Crop Substitution
Draft White Paper on Groundwater Substitution Transfers
Archived Video of 2009 Drought Water Bank for Sellers
New Drought Water Bank Presentation
Drought Water Bank Addendum
Drought Conditions
Defining when a drought begins varies by location, and may be based on criteria such as
rainfall/runoff, amount of water in storage, or other expected water supplies. Droughts differ
from typical emergency events such as floods or forest fires, in that they occur slowly over a
multiyear period. Impacts of drought are typically felt first by those most reliant on annual
rainfall -- ranchers engaged in dryland grazing, rural residents relying on wells in low-yield
rock formations, or small water systems lacking a reliable source. Drought impacts increase with
the length of a drought, as carry-over supplies in reservoirs are depleted and water levels in
groundwater basins decline.
Learn more about why California is in a drought...
Learn more about California's drought conditions...
Learn more about California's reservoir condition...
Learn more about drought response by water agencies...
Economic Impacts
This year's drought has already significantly damaged California's economy. Agricultural crops
are being plowed under, housing and business projects are being delayed, and regional water
authorities are instituting mandatory water rationing to a reliable water supply. Due to
California's water shortages, thousands of jobs are lost and construction projects are on hold
because a water supply cannot be guaranteed. In addition, drought conditions have created a
situation of extreme fire danger, already the worst fire season in the State's history.
Learn more about economic impacts from California's drought...
Learn more about fire impacts from California's drought...
Drought Assistance
The state of California is moving quickly to respond to the 2008 drought conditions and plan for the
possibility of dry conditions in 2009. Responding to the Governor's emergency declaration, up to
50,000 acre feet of groundwater will be transferred to hard hit drought areas in the San Joaquin
valley. DWR has loaned 37,500 acre feet of water to Central Valley Project (CVP) contractors out of
the San Luis Reservoir. An additional 25,000 acre feet is being made available by Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California for the benefit of both CVP and SWP contractors. In addition to the
water transfers and exchanges, DWR is also expediting drought relief grant funding to water agencies
and non-profit organizations.
Learn more about drought financial assistance...
Learn more about drought technical assistance...
Learn more about DWR 2008 drought response...
Learn more about 2009 Drought Actions...
Learn more about the USDA Drought Disaster Assistance Guide for California Farmers...
Climate Change
Climate change is already impacting California's water resources. In the future, warmer temperatures,
different patterns of precipitation and runoff, and rising sea levels will profoundly affect the
ability to manage water supplies and other natural resources. Adapting California's water management
systems to climate change presents one of the most significant challenges for the 21st century.
Learn more about climate change...