Amid Drought, CA Gov. Brown Orders First-Ever Mandatory Water Cutbacks

"The Sierra snowpack is a ghastly one-fifth the size of the smallest one ever recorded in the mountain range, state leaders said Wednesday as California’s storm season ended in disappointment for the fourth straight year.

The previous record snowpack was 25% of average, both in 1977 and last year. This year, it’s only 5% of average, coming after three years of an intense drought.

Gov. Jerry Brown, who watched a snow measurement Wednesday at Lake Tahoe, announced the state’s first mandatory water reductions, aiming at cutting water use by 25%. He promised more enforcement in cities and actions against water agencies in groundwater-depleted areas that have not shared data with the state."

Mark Grossi reports for the Fresno Bee April 1, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"California Imposes First Mandatory Water Restrictions to Deal With Drought" (New York Times)

"California Drought Is Worsened by Global Warming, Scientists Say" (New York Times)

"California Governor Orders Statewide Water Cutbacks To Combat Drought" (Reuters)

"California Activists Want Water Restrictions To Include Oil Industry" (Reuters)

"Scary Times For California Farmers As Snowpack Hits Record Lows" (NPR)

"Key Provisions of California's New Water Cuts" (AP)

"Things To Know About California's Drought And Water Cuts" (AP)