Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Report: Groundwater Supply At Historic Low

  •  Marianne Russ 
Thursday, May 1, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
Amy Quinton/ Capital Public Radio News
 

Amy Quinton/ Capital Public Radio News

California hydrologists will measure the state's snowpack for the final time this season today, and they expect the readings to be pretty dismal. That news will come on the heels of a new report showing the state's groundwater supplies are at a historical low.  

The state may soon put new water restrictions in place.

The Department of Water Resources will manually measure the Sierra snowpack Thursday.  Electronic sensors show statewide, the water content is only about 21 percent of normal and the Northern Sierra snowpack is only about 9 percent of normal.  

A smaller snowpack means some water agencies may rely more on groundwater during the drought, but a new report from DWR shows the state's groundwater resources are at historically low levels. It finds that in some areas of the San Joaquin Valley, levels are more than 100 feet below pervious historical lows.

The report says that groundwater levels have decreased in nearly every part of the state since 2010. Because of the ongoing drought, the State Water Resources Control Board is expected to soon limit access to river water for hundreds of water agencies and farmers, in order to preserve water for the environment and for agencies with long-standing water rights.

Public Update for Drought Response Groundwater Basins with Potential Water Shortages and Gaps in Groundwater Monitoring


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about drought

  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio is following how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

    Related Stories

  • iStock image - UC Berkeley / Courtesy

    Study: Chemicals From Firefighting Foam In Drinking Water

    Tuesday, August 9, 2016
    A new study shows fire-fighting foam containing highly fluorinated chemicals is contaminating drinking water supplies around many of the nation's military bases, airports and industrial sites.
  • Capital Public Radio / File

    Severe And Extreme Drought Eases In California

    Thursday, May 12, 2016
    Severe and extreme drought were reduced slightly in California and 10 percent of the state is completely free of drought.
  • State Of Drought

    Reservoir levels are at historic lows, municipalities are ordering mandatory conservation and farmers are bracing for water shortages. CapRadio has coverage on how Californians are being impacted by the drought.

 environmentdroughtwaterdepartment of water resourcesnorthern sierrasan joaquin valleystate water resources control board

Marianne Russ

Former Managing Editor, News

Marianne served as Capital Public Radio’s Managing Editor for News through July 2015.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Is your house at risk of a wildfire? This online tool could tell you

May 16, 2022

Damian Dovarganes / AP Photo

California church shooter was motivated by hate for Taiwanese people, officials say

May 16, 2022

Pablo Unzueta / CalMatters

With inflation, California worries about progress on poverty

May 16, 2022

Most Viewed

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Biden announces a third round of free at-home COVID-19 testing kits

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Biden announces a third round of free at-home COVID-19 testing kits

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.