Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Environment
  •  

California Drought: Rains Help Southern California

  •  Ed Joyce 
Thursday, August 13, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Woranuch Joyce / Capital Public Radio

The fourth year of drought in California has brought increased conservation in urban and rural areas. Some farmers have allowed land to go fallow.

Woranuch Joyce / Capital Public Radio

The U.S. Drought Monitor released August 13, showed that recent rains in California have brought some improvement.

"With the scattered rains, improvements were made to the D2 [severe drought] in southern California as the last several monsoons have been beneficial to this region and precipitation values are near normal over the last 3 years," according to the report.

0813 California Drought

 

The U.S. Drought Monitor drought "intensity" ranges from 'Abnormally Dry' to 'Exceptional Drought' and the report showed 46 percent of California is in exceptional drought, 71 percent is in extreme and 92 percent is in severe drought. 

In Nevada, there was improvement in one area, but an increase in exceptional drought in another part of the state.

"Continuing on the improvements started last week over northern Nevada, severe drought (D2) conditions were pushed to the west, improving the extreme drought (D3)," the report stated.

But "Nevada also showed the return of exceptional drought (D4) in the west central portion of the state. The earlier rains in the region that allowed for extreme drought have since subsided and the impacts are again present, especially in the agriculture and ranching communities, allowing for exceptional drought to expand this week."

While extreme drought decreased to 37.5 percent in Nevada, exceptional drought increased to nearly 16 percent.

0813 Nevada Drought

 

Drought intensifies in Pacific Northwest

0813 West Drought

In Washington and Oregon, extreme drought conditions "were pushed to the west as low flows on rivers and streams and warm water temperatures are impacting the region."  

Extreme drought expanded in northern Idaho last week, "where conditions continue to worsen, while some improvement to severe drought was shown in the southeast as recent rains helped the region."

Extreme drought increased to nearly 50 percent in Oregon, where 100 percent of the state is in severe drought.

In Washington state, extreme drought increased to 42.5 percent, up from 32 percent the previous week. No areas of Washington or Oregon are in exceptional drought. 

0813 Seasonal Drought Outlook


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

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Snowpack ‘Well Above Normal’ in Sierra

    Thursday, November 12, 2015
    The drought update released Thursday shows that recent storms have helped the Sierra snowpack, but did not bring any improvement to California's long-term drought.
  • National Weather Service Sacramento / Courtesy

    More Snow In Forecast For Sierra Nevada

    Wednesday, November 11, 2015
    Two storms have brought snow to the Sierra Nevada so far in November. Another one is forecast to bring more snow Sunday.
  • @CALFIRE_PIO / Twitter

    California Wildfires May Be 'New Normal'

    Monday, August 17, 2015
    The increase in the number of wildfires in California and the western U.S. may partly be caused by climate change.
  • 153rd Airlift Wing Website / www.153aw.ang.af.mil/

    More Resources To Fight Wildfires Sent To California

    Thursday, August 13, 2015
    A national firefighting agency is sending more resources to California, due to the large number of major wildfires in the region.
  • Rich Pedroncelli / AP

    Drought Tightens Grip In Western U.S. As Wildfires Spread

    Thursday, July 30, 2015
    The above-average rains of the past week did not ease drought conditions or improve reservoir storage in California. The drought expanded in other parts of the western U.S.
  • California Drought: ‘Spooky’ Water Supply Future

    Friday, July 24, 2015
    The California Department of Water Resources released a video this week and suggested that the state faces a scary future and potential fifth year of drought.
  • Rich Pedroncelli / AP

    Climate Change Meets Drought In California

    Thursday, July 16, 2015
    Drought, combined with the effects of climate change, may likely mean more water restrictions in California.
  • California Department of Water Resources

    California Drought: Forecast To Persist, Intensify Through October

    Thursday, July 16, 2015
    There were “minor improvements” to exceptional drought in northeastern California last week, but drought is forecast to persist and intensify through October.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Warmest June Ever For California

    Thursday, July 9, 2015
    California is on pace for its warmest year on record in the fourth year of drought.
  • Wes Schultz / YubaNet.com

    California Drought: Forest Service Ready For Wildfire Season

    Tuesday, May 26, 2015
    The U.S. Forest Service has wrapped up its hiring for firefighters to work on California's 18 national forests this summer.
  • planetlight / Flickr

    California Drought: 'Exceptional' Drought Expands In Sierra

    Thursday, April 23, 2015
    As California enters the dry season, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows one category expanding.

 agriculturedroughtcalifornianevadaclimate changewashingtonoregonEl Ninowater conservationDrought2015

Ed Joyce

Former All Things Considered Anchor & Reporter

Ed Joyce is a former reporter and All Things Considered news anchor at Capital Public Radio. Ed is a veteran journalist with experience in a variety of news positions across all media platforms, including radio, television, web and print.   Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Environment Stories

U.S. Forest Service

Federal government announces $930M investment in high-risk areas impacted by wildfires

January 20, 2023

Kristin Lam / CapRadio

Disaster recovery center connects Sacramento-area winter storm victims to help

January 26, 2023

AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File

Growers brace to give up some Colorado River water

January 22, 2023

Most Viewed

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

California coronavirus updates: Pyongyang under lockdown for respiratory disease

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

Cal State contends with 'unprecedented' enrollment declines

California allocates $20M toward abortion clinics’ physical, digital security

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

California coronavirus updates: Pyongyang under lockdown for respiratory disease

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

Cal State contends with 'unprecedented' enrollment declines

California allocates $20M toward abortion clinics’ physical, digital security

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a News Tip
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, 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.