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
  • State Government
  •  

Climate Change Meets Drought In California

  •  Ed Joyce 
Thursday, July 16, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Rich Pedroncelli / AP

In this photo taken Monday, May 18, 2015, Gino Celli inspects wheat nearing harvest on his farm near Stockton, Calif.

Rich Pedroncelli / AP

Federal climate scientists say it was a record warm June for California and four other western states. The NOAA State of the Climate report was released July 16.

NOAA forecasters said 2014 year was the warmest on record for the state. And climate change research says California will be dryer, with snow coming earlier in the winter and melting sooner in the Sierra Nevada, along with an increase in severe wildfires throughout the western U.S.

Jay Famiglietti is a Senior Water Scientist with NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab and a Professor of Earth Systems Science at UC Irvine.

We asked him if California is seeing an intersection of the drought and climate change.

"I think that we are and I think that this past winter is representative of what we will be very likely be seeing more of in the future," says Famiglietti.

0716 Dry Cal

He says drought cycles are part of the climate change scenario and we may be witnessing the interplay of both in 2015.

"As the snowpack diminishes and the snow season shrinks, that will impact our water resources," says Famiglietti. "Of course, there's a direct link with water and dryness and fire, so I think we can expect that to become more severe in the future."

Famiglietti says groundwater supply is getting squeezed as surface water availability declines.

El Niño Won’t End Drought

"The groundwater picture does not look very promising," says Famiglietti. "My fear is that the supply that we have will be rapidly depleted if the drought continues. If it doesn’t, we’ll have more surface water availability. But, if it does, we’ll see the continued trend of groundwater depletion." 

This spring and early summer, there was virtually no runoff due to the record-low snowpack in the Sierra. And that puts added pressure on groundwater supply. 

"The biggest users are still in agriculture," says Famiglietti. "My guess is if the drought continues in 2016, we’ll start seeing more and more restrictions on agriculture." 

The latest El Niño forecast puts the chances for the ocean warming event at 90 percent and there is potential for above-normal rain for parts of California.   

Famiglietti says one El Niño year, if it’s a wet one, will help, but it won’t end California’s four-year drought. 

"The deficit right now is somewhere around 12 trillion gallons of water," says Famiglietti. "So we need to replace about 12 trillion gallons of water in storage, in snow, in groundwater, in our reservoirs. That’s going to take about three years of above-average precipitation."

"So, one El Niño year will help, if it actually brings rain to California, which is not guaranteed. But we need a few years in a row of above-average precipitation to dig out of this monumental hole that we’re in." 


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

  • USFS R5 State and Private Forestry / Courtesy

    Fewer Wildfires In 2016 On National Forest Lands In California

    Monday, August 8, 2016
    It has been a busy fire season across California. But there are fewer fires in the state’s 18 U.S. national forests so far this year, compared to 2015.
  • Victoria Lorini

    Cold Fire 60% Contained; Difficult Wind Conditions At Soberanes Fire

    Sunday, August 7, 2016
    Update 8:00 p.m. Sunday: Crews are making "good progress" on the Cold Fire in Yolo County, now at 60% containment. In Monterey County, the Soberanes Fire remains at 45% containment with wind creating an additional challenge for firefighters.
  • Cal Fire San Benito-Monterey Unit / Twitter

    Soberanes Fire 'Conundrum For Fire Managers'

    Friday, August 5, 2016
    The Soberanes Fire near Big Sur is burning in a rugged area that hasn't "seen fire in decades." The wildfire is 45 percent contained at 57,500 acres.
  • Ringo H.W. Chiu / AP

    The 'New Normal' For Wildfires In California

    Wednesday, August 3, 2016
    The number of acres burned by wildfires in the U.S. is about average for this time of year. But, in California, the 'new normal' includes larger and more frequent wildfires.
  • InciWeb-Angeles National Forest / Courtesy

    Drought Intensifies As Wildfires Grow In Western U.S.

    Thursday, July 28, 2016
    The drought intensified over the last week in the Western U.S. as the region swelters under a heatwave and firefighters battle major wildfires.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Low Or No Water Conservation Targets 'Shortsighted'

    Thursday, July 7, 2016
    California is in the fifth consecutive year of drought, but state water managers ended mandatory conservation rules. Local water suppliers now determine conservation rates, and some have low or no targets. A water expert says that's 'shortsighted.'
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought Persists, Conservation Still ‘Top Priority’

    Thursday, July 7, 2016
    California is in the fifth consecutive year of drought. Although mandatory statewide water conservation is over, the State Water Resources Control Board says water conservation remains a "top priority."
  • InciWeb / Courtesy

    Trailhead Fire In Placer, El Dorado Counties Now 60 Percent Contained

    Tuesday, July 5, 2016
    More than 2,100 firefighters remain on the Trailhead Fire Tuesday morning. The blaze burning in Placer and El Dorado counties is at 60 percent containment.
  • Crews Battle Access, Terrain On Trailhead Fire

    Monday, July 4, 2016
    Update 6 p.m. July 4: The Trailhead Fire is 50 percent contained at 5,444 acres. Mandatory evacuation orders are being reduced to voluntary in areas affected by the fire in Placer and El Dorado counties.
  • Placer County Sheriff / Courtesy

    Above Normal Wildfire Risk Through October In California

    Friday, July 1, 2016
    Forecasters say the threat of wildfires will remain high in Southern California and the Southwest in July and August because of persistent drought and because summer rains may not be as consistent as usual.
  • Cal Fire / Courtesy

    Summer Of Wildfires As Drought Persists In California

    Thursday, June 30, 2016
    The drought in California, in its fifth consecutive year, has created conditions ripe for wildfires. The National Interagency Fire Center predicts "above normal" fire potential through September for portions of California, Nevada and Idaho.
  • Ringo H.W. Chiu / AP

    More Wildfires, Starting Sooner, Burning More Acres

    Tuesday, June 28, 2016
    A new report says more people in California are at risk from wildfire and fires are starting earlier and are three times larger than in the 1970s.
  • @BLMca / Twitter

    Central California Fire Burns Structures, Spurs Evacuation

    Friday, June 24, 2016
    UPDATE June 26: Fire managers says the Erskine Fire near Lake Isabella in Kern County has grown to 43,460 acres and is 40 percent contained. Two people have died, and more than 250 structures have been destroyed and an additional 75 damaged.
  • Santa Barbara City Fire / Courtesy

    Elevated Fire Danger In California As Drought Persists

    Thursday, June 23, 2016
    Not much change is expected in drought conditions in California during the summer "dry season" but wildfire danger is increasing, with 66 million dead trees in the Sierra Nevada adding potential fuel.
  • U.S. Forest Service / Courtesy

    Forest Service: 66 Million Dead Trees In Sierra Nevada

    Wednesday, June 22, 2016
    The U.S. Forest Service says 66 million trees are dead in the Sierra Nevada after four consecutive years of drought in California and a bark beetle infestation.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Sacramento-Area Water Conservation 31 Percent In May

    Tuesday, June 21, 2016
    California is in the fifth consecutive year of drought and water providers continue to urge voluntary conservation, as mandatory statewide rules have ended. Sacramento-area residents reduced their water use by 31 percent in May.
  • Jeff Peters / UC Davis

    Ending 'Energy Poverty' One Goal of African Energy Fellows At UC Davis

    Monday, June 20, 2016
    A group of 25 young African energy innovators are spending the next six weeks at UC Davis. One goal is to learn about energy solutions that could reduce 'energy poverty' and improve electricity access in their home countries.
  • Santa Barbara City Fire / Courtesy

    Record Heat, Wildfires Scorch Western U.S.

    Sunday, June 19, 2016
    As thousands of federal and state firefighters work to contain wildfires in California and other western states, record-setting heat has prompted warnings from the National Weather Service for parts of California, Nevada and Arizona.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California April Water Conservation Rate Is 26 Percent

    Monday, June 6, 2016
    The California State Water Resources Control Board says the statewide water conservation rate in April was 26.1 percent.
  • Triple-Digit Heat Expected In Sacramento Region

    Friday, June 3, 2016
    Friday is expected to be the hottest day of the week with triple-digit temperatures hitting much of the Central Valley, according to the National Weather Service.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Drought Improvement In Northwestern California

    Thursday, June 2, 2016
    The U.S. Drought Monitor weekly report released June 2 shows some reduction in drought in part of California, but long-term drought remains in the region.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Drought Conditions Improve In California, Nevada

    Thursday, May 19, 2016
    The U.S. Drought Center says the past week brought "widespread improvements" in drought conditions in northern California and Nevada.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Summer Power Supply 'Adequate' For California

    Wednesday, May 18, 2016
    California's energy grid manager says supply should be adequate for the summer, despite potential natural gas shortages in Southern California.
  • Lisa Herron / U.S. Forest Service

    Prescribed Burns Planned At South Lake Tahoe

    Monday, May 16, 2016
    Fire agencies are expected to continue prescribed burn operations this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
  • Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Too Soon To End Mandatory Conservation?

    Wednesday, May 11, 2016
    One water scientist says it may be too soon to end mandatory water conservation requirements in California and the state's surface and groundwater should be managed together.
  • Chris Nicolini / UC Davis

    Stebbins Cold Canyon Natural Reserve Reopens

    Tuesday, May 10, 2016
    A popular nature reserve west of Davis reopens May 15 after being closed following a wildfire last summer.
  • joeshlabotnik / Flickr

    California Wants Major Changes To Water Conservation

    Monday, May 9, 2016
    An executive order from California Gov. Jerry Brown and a new proposal from the state Water Board would do away with the current system of water conservation.
  • Joby Elliott / Flickr

    Brown Orders Permanent Water Conservation Measures

    Monday, May 9, 2016
    (AP) -- Gov. Jerry Brown is ordering California to permanently follow some conservation measures taken during the state's drought.
  • California Department of Water Resources / Courtesy

    Western U.S. Snowpack Melting At Record Speed

    Saturday, May 7, 2016
    A U.S. agency says western U.S. snowpack dropped at "record speed" during April as average temperatures in the contiguous U.S. were 4.0°F above average from January through April 2016.
  • Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows / Courtesy

    Long-Term Drought Persists In California

    Thursday, May 5, 2016
    Some minor improvement in California drought conditions last week, but long-term drought remains entrenched as the summer dry season is slightly more than a month away.
  • Drought-Stricken California Reveals Water Savings For March

    Tuesday, May 3, 2016
    Californians are still making strides to save water. State regulators say water users conserved 24 percent in March. That’s double the previous month’s savings, but just shy of Governor Jerry Brown’s 25 percent water conservation goal.
  • Ben Arnst / Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

    Spring Storms Help Snowpack As California Drought Persists

    Thursday, April 28, 2016
    Spring storms help Sierra Nevada snowpack, but there is no reduction in drought conditions in California and Nevada.
  • Capital Public Radio / File

    Expect More 'Spare The Air' Alerts In Sacramento

    Wednesday, April 27, 2016
    More "Spare The Air" alerts may be issued this year in the Sacramento region because the Environmental Protection Agency has lowered the federal ozone health standard.
  • Lisa Herron / U.S. Forest Service

    Prescribed Burns Planned In Lake Tahoe Basin

    Monday, April 25, 2016
    Weather permitting, the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District and the U.S. Forest Service may continue prescribed fire operations starting Monday in areas around Lake Tahoe.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Groundwater Supply Improved At Amador County Vineyards

    Friday, April 22, 2016
    Water supply was a worry in 2015 at two vineyards in Amador County that rely on groundwater. But after a near-normal winter in northern California, the grape growers are breathing a sigh of relief – at least for this season.
  • California Department of Water Resources / Courtesy

    Extreme And Exceptional Drought Decline In California

    Thursday, April 21, 2016
    Extreme and exceptional drought eased in California last week and for the first time since the week of July 2013, there is no exceptional drought in Nevada.
  • Capital Public Radio / File

    Report: California Has Nation's Dirtiest Air

    Wednesday, April 20, 2016
    The American Lung Association "State of the Air 2016" report gives failing grades to communities in the Central Valley's farming region and the Los Angeles area. It also says climate change is a growing threat to air quality in California.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    NOAA Says Watch For La Niña As El Niño Weakens

    Thursday, April 14, 2016
    In the midst of a major El Niño, federal meteorologists say its flip side, La Niña, is around the corner. And that could mean more dry times in California.
  • Sarah Craig / American Rivers

    Group: San Joaquin River 2nd Most Threatened In U.S.

    Tuesday, April 12, 2016
    The group American Rivers has ranked the San Joaquin River as the second most threatened river in the United States.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Exceptional And Extreme Drought Persists In California

    Thursday, April 7, 2016
    California enters spring with 55 percent of the state in extreme drought, mostly in the central and southern part of the state.
  • USFWS / Courtesy

    Bill Would Restrict Some Rat Poisons In California

    Wednesday, April 6, 2016
    A bill introduced in the California Assembly would ban certain rat and mouse poisons that harm people and wildlife.
  • U.S Bureau of Reclamation / Courtesy

    No Fed Project Water For Some California Farmers

    Friday, April 1, 2016
    The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation says some farmers in California will get none of the water they've requested in 2016 and others will get their full allocation.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Water Agency: 'Relax' Conservation Mandate For Northern California

    Thursday, March 31, 2016
    After the season’s last Sierra Nevada snow measurement showed near normal snowpack in the north, one California water agency suggests conservation mandates should be rescinded or eased for the region.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Sierra Nevada Snowpack At 87 Percent Of Normal

    Wednesday, March 30, 2016
    The latest Sierra Nevada snow survey finds that the statewide snowpack is at 87 percent of normal for March 30 and 87 percent of the April 1 average.
  • Truckee Donner Land Trust / Courtesy

    Deal Protects 'Stunning' Northern Sierra Forest Land

    Monday, March 28, 2016
    More than 400 acres of private land around a popular northern Sierra Nevada trailhead will be protected from commercial development and be part of the Tahoe National Forest.
  • Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows / Courtesy

    Extreme Drought ‘Entrenched’ In Most Of California

    Thursday, March 24, 2016
    The California drought improved slightly in northern California, but long-term severe to extreme drought remains "entrenched" in central and southern California.
  • UC Regents / Courtesy

    Climate Change, 'Chill Hours' And California Crops

    Wednesday, March 23, 2016
    A study by UC Davis agricultural economists looked at how climate change is affecting what crops are planted in California. Warming winters are expected to alter what farmers plant.
  • California Department of Water Resources / Courtesy

    Extreme And Severe Drought Decline In California

    Thursday, March 17, 2016
    The U.S. Drought Monitor says storms in March have eased extreme and severe drought in California. But many state reservoirs remain below-average and groundwater has not recovered after 4-to-5 years of drought.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Some Reservoirs Rise, Sierra Snowpack Nears Normal

    Monday, March 14, 2016
    Storms have pushed the Sierra Nevada snowpack closer to average and some California reservoirs are above historical average. But reservoirs and rainfall in Southern California are not doing as well.
  • Capital Public Radio / File

    Heavy Rain, Heavy Snow In Northern California

    Thursday, March 10, 2016
    A series of strong weather systems will move through Northern California Thursday through Tuesday of next week. The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued more than 10 warnings, watches and advisories.
  • California Department of Water Resources / Courtesy

    Reservoirs Filling, But Snowpack Worries In California

    Thursday, March 10, 2016
    Some reservoirs are filling in California, but melting Sierra Nevada snowpack is a worry. After early March storms, the U.S. Drought Monitor says the state is now primed for drought improvement.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Sierra Snowpack Melts With Dry February

    Wednesday, February 24, 2016
    The "bountiful" rain and snow in January has faded along with some of the gains in the Sierra Nevada snowpack. A dry, warm February in California has caused the water content in the snow to drop below normal to date.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Sacramento Area Water Conservation Rate 11 Percent In January

    Monday, February 22, 2016
    The Sacramento Regional Water Authority says water use in January 2016 dropped 11 percent compared to 2013. Despite some slight improvement, much of California remains in extreme drought, and "conservation remains critical."
  • Woranuch Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    'Considerable' Long-Term Drought In California

    Thursday, February 18, 2016
    The weekly update from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows no changes in the area of drought in California after a dry spell the past week brought record high temperatures from Sacramento to San Diego.
  • Lisa Herron / U.S. Forest Service

    Prescribed Burns In Lake Tahoe Basin

    Monday, February 15, 2016
    Fire agencies are expected to continue prescribed burn operations the week of February 15 in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    El Niño 'Takes A Break'

    Friday, February 5, 2016
    January brought above-average rainfall and snow to much of California, partly due to El Niño. But forecasters say the ocean warming condition is "taking a break" for the next week or longer.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought Improves; 2015 Warmest Year On Record

    Thursday, January 21, 2016
    Frequent storms have brought more improvement in drought conditions in California over the past week, with snowpack conditions above normal.
  • Woranuch Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Calif. Drought: Storms Help, Water Supply 'Below Average'

    Thursday, December 10, 2015
    Despite a return to a more typical fall storm pattern, the rain and snow has brought only minimal improvement to California's multiyear drought.
  • Sierra-at-Tahoe / Courtesy

    Drought Improves In Pacific Northwest, Not California

    Wednesday, November 25, 2015
    The latest U.S. Drought Monitor showed no change to drought conditions in California over the past week. But, the report does not include the storm that brought rain to valleys and snow to the Sierra Nevada this week.
  • Sacramento Area Water Conservation Rate 27 Percent In October

    Monday, November 23, 2015
    Two million Sacramento-area water users conserved 27 percent in October, the same rate as September.
  • Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Recent Storms Help Sierra Snowpack Not Water Supply

    Thursday, November 19, 2015
    There is no change this week to the drought in California, despite the recent storms that have brought snow to the Sierra. Reservoir storage in California remains the second lowest on record.
  • 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.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Ski Areas Opening, Rain, Snow A Good Start

    Tuesday, November 10, 2015
    With many Sierra ski resorts opening early and the third storm system in as many weeks on the way to California, November is starting to look more "typical" after four years of drought.
  • People Flock To See Sandhill Cranes In Lodi

    Friday, November 6, 2015
    The 19th annual Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival this weekend is expected to bring thousands of visitors to see the stately birds.
  • Rain Brings Some ‘Drought Relief’ To California, Nevada

    Thursday, November 5, 2015
    The Pacific Storm system brought some slight improvement to drought conditions in California and Nevada last week.
  • Robert Couse-Baker, flickr

    Watering Restricted To One Day A Week In Sacramento

    Monday, November 2, 2015
    People living in the City of Sacramento are now limited to watering one day a week until March.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Dry Times Continue In California, Nevada

    Thursday, October 29, 2015
    The recent rain has not changed the percentage of drought in California or Nevada according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update.
  • USFWS / Courtesy

    Drought Takes Toll On Winter-Run Chinook Salmon

    Wednesday, October 28, 2015
    Another year brings a die-off of endangered winter-run Chinook salmon in northern California.
  • Lisa Herron / U.S. Forest Service

    Prescribed Burns Start In Lake Tahoe Basin

    Monday, October 26, 2015
    Prescribed burn operations are expected to start this week in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
  • Al Gibes / Capital Public Radio

    Rain No Help For Long-Term California Drought

    Thursday, October 22, 2015
    The U.S. Drought Monitor says recent rain was no help for the long-term drought in California and the state's reservoir storage is now the second lowest on record.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Roseville Proposes Water Rate Increases, Pricing Change

    Tuesday, October 20, 2015
    Roseville has proposed to change the method it bills customers for water use. The city also wants to increase water rates.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Don't Count On El Niño For Sierra Snowpack

    Monday, October 19, 2015
    After a record low snowpack in the Sierra Nevada last spring, runoff was also at record lows. Don't expect a strong El Niño to help change that this winter.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Forecast: Strong El Niño Will Improve California Drought

    Thursday, October 15, 2015
    The latest forecast from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center shows El Niño will help improve the drought in parts of California by the end of January.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Study: Cal-ISO, PacifiCorp Electric Transmission Grid Merger Saves Money

    Tuesday, October 13, 2015
    The creation of a regional electric transmission grid for six western states, including California, has moved a step closer to reality.
  • El Niño Brings Risk Of Flash Flooding, Debris Flows Near Wildfire Scars

    Monday, October 12, 2015
    A strong El Niño is forecast to bring above-average precipitation this winter. But, it also creates dangerous flooding potential too, especially in areas recently scarred by wildfires.
  • http://www.elnino.noaa.gov/

    Strong El Niño May Help, Won’t End California Drought

    Friday, October 9, 2015
    Strong El Niño forecast expected through Spring.
  • Marnette Federis / Capital Public Radio

    Rain No Help For California Reservoirs

    Thursday, October 8, 2015
    Despite a potential strong El Niño, the drought in most of California is forecast to continue into a fifth year.
  • Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio

    Major California Reservoir Storage 50 Percent Below Average

    Tuesday, October 6, 2015
    Water storage has dwindled at six major reservoirs in California.
  • Janelle Thompson/USFS

    Fire Restrictions Lifted In Tahoe National Forest

    Tuesday, October 6, 2015
    Fire restrictions are being lifted in the Tahoe National Forest Tuesday.
  • City of Sacramento / Courtesy

    Earlier Leaf Pickup In Sacramento Due To Drought

    Thursday, October 1, 2015
    The effects of the on-going drought on Sacramento trees could mean an earlier than normal leaf drop for some tree species.
  • Looking At Year 5 Of Drought In California

    Thursday, October 1, 2015
    California's historic drought persists and, even with normal precipitation, is expected to continue into 2016.
  • Photo courtesy Candice Ramirez / via YubaNet.com

    'Prescribed Burns' To Start In Eldorado National Forest

    Wednesday, September 30, 2015
    A program will begin soon in the Eldorado National Forest to remove live or dead vegetation to prevent the spread of wildfires.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Sacramento Area Water Districts Reducing Outdoor Water Days

    Tuesday, September 29, 2015
    The Sacramento Suburban Water District is asking customers to voluntarily cut outdoor watering to one day a week this fall as other water providers move to mandatory restrictions.
  • Woranuch Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Grape Growers Treat, Reuse Wastewater On Vineyards

    Monday, September 28, 2015
    A UC Davis study says more sectors of the agricultural industry should be able to reuse wastewater as many California grape growers do.
  • AP

    Butte Fire: Major Disaster Declaration For Calaveras County

    Thursday, September 24, 2015
    A major disaster declaration has been granted by President Obama for Calaveras County, due to damage from the Butte Fire.
  • Rich Pedroncelli / AP

    Despite Rain, Drought Unchanged In California

    Thursday, September 24, 2015
    The recent rains did not improve drought conditions over the past week in California but the seasonal outlook shows some improvement for parts of the state.
  • Noah Berger / AP

    Feds Declare Major Disaster For Valley Fire

    Tuesday, September 22, 2015
    President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster for the Valley Fire in Lake County.
  • Noah Berger / AP

    Valley And Butte Wildfires Among Most Damaging In California History

    Monday, September 21, 2015
    The Valley and Butte fires in northern California are among the most damaging in state history. Governor Jerry Brown Monday asked for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for both fires.
  • Great Sierra River Cleanup / Courtesy

    Volunteers Collect 70 Tons Of Trash in Sierra Nevada, Sacramento Cleanup Day Events

    Saturday, September 19, 2015
    Two California Coastal Cleanup Day events Saturday in northern California collected more than 70 tons of trash and recyclables.
  • Taylor de la Peña / Courtesy

    Firefighters Wanted: Career Expo Saturday In Sacramento

    Friday, September 18, 2015
    The number of wildfires in California and throughout the western U.S. this summer caused fire managers to call in help from Canada and other countries. Several fire agencies are recruiting firefighter candidates Saturday in Sacramento.
  • Brett K. Snow, Pool / AP Photo

    California Drought Predicted To Persist, Intensify Through December

    Thursday, September 17, 2015
    The latest seasonal drought outlook from the National Weather Service shows the drought in California, and much of Nevada, persisting and intensifying through December.
  • Catherine Burr / Twitter

    California Drought Factor In Rapid Growth Of Wildfires

    Monday, September 14, 2015
    Fire managers say the historic drought is a major factor in the rapid spread and growth of recent wildfires in California.
  • U.S. Forest Service - Sequoia National Forest / Facebook

    California Wildfires: Rough Fire 18th Largest In State History

    Friday, September 11, 2015
    The largest active wildfire in California, the Rough Fire in Fresno County, is also the 18th largest in state history.
  • J Brew / Flickr.com Creative Commons

    Wildfire Smoke, Heat Creates Unhealthy Air In San Joaquin

    Thursday, September 10, 2015
    Air quality 'unhealthful for sensitive groups' in the San Joaquin Valley due to ozone, wildfire smoke and dust.
  • C.M. Kelner / Flickr Creative Commons

    Solar Project Planned At Former California Nuclear Power Plant Site

    Thursday, September 10, 2015
    The site of a former nuclear power plant in northern California will now be used to provide solar energy.
  • Al Gibes / Capital Public Radio

    Unhealthy Air Forecast For Sacramento Region

    Wednesday, September 9, 2015
    Triple-digit temperatures are causing higher ozone levels in the Sacramento region and unhealthy air.
  • Al Gibes / Capital Public Radio

    El Niño And California’s Historic Drought

    Thursday, September 3, 2015
    There were no changes in the intensity of drought in California over the past week and El Niño is not expected to end the state's historic drought.
  • Gary Kazanjian / AP

    Lung Association: Climate Change Worsens California Air Quality

    Wednesday, September 2, 2015
    The American Lung Association in California says climate change is causing the state's air quality to deteriorate.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Topsoil Decline In California, Extreme Drought Expands In Western U.S.

    Thursday, August 27, 2015
    Extreme drought expanded in the Western U.S. and the drought is taking a toll on topsoil moisture in California.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    El Niño Likely No Help For Northern California's Reservoirs

    Wednesday, August 26, 2015
    The ocean water condition called El Niño isn't expected to do much for northern California's dwindling reservoirs.
  • U.S. Forest Service InciWeb

    Help Coming From Down Under For Western U.S. Firefighters

    Thursday, August 20, 2015
    Firefighters in California and other parts of the western U.S. will be getting some help from other countries, as wildfires rip through the region.
  • Amy Quinton / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: NASA Says Land Sinking Faster In San Joaquin Valley

    Wednesday, August 19, 2015
    A new NASA report, commissioned by the California Department of Water Resources, shows groundwater pumping in California has caused land in the San Joaquin Valley to sink faster than in past.
  • @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.
  • Woranuch Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Rains Help Southern California

    Thursday, August 13, 2015
    A slight decrease in severe drought in the last week for one part of California and Nevada saw an increase in the intensity of exceptional drought.
  • Jeff Chiu / AP

    Rocky Fire: California Drought Makes Containment Tougher

    Tuesday, August 4, 2015
    The on-going drought is making work harder for crews working to contain the Rocky Fire in Lake, Yolo and Colusa counties.
  • Photo by Eric G. LaPrice

    Forecast Of Lightning In California Brings Wildfire Concerns

    Friday, July 31, 2015
    The weather forecast through the weekend includes thunderstorms and lightning for parts of northern California, which could spark new wildfires.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    Working Outdoors Brings 'Beat The Heat' Strategy

    Thursday, July 30, 2015
    Triple digit heat has many people staying cool inside. But outdoor workers don't have that option.
  • 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.
  • Woranuch Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Recent Above-Average Rain No Help

    Thursday, July 23, 2015
    The "well above-average" rain of the past three months in California has not brought any improvement to drought conditions in the state.
  • Eddie Sanderson Photography / AP / File

    More Wildfires In California But No 'Mega Fires'

    Wednesday, July 22, 2015
    There's been a significant increase in the number of wildfires this year in California. But the size of the fires has been relatively small.
  • 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

    Sacramento June Water Conservation Rate Is 35 Percent

    Thursday, July 16, 2015
    People in the Sacramento-area exceeded the mandated water conservation goal last month.
  • 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.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: Power Supply Will Meet Summer Demand

    Thursday, May 7, 2015
    The manager of California's power grid says additional supply, mostly from solar sources, will help it meet electricity demand this summer.
  • Ed Joyce / Capital Public Radio

    California Drought: ‘Dire Circumstances’ For Water Supply

    Thursday, April 9, 2015
    Despite the recent rain and snowfall, California's water deficit continues. And El Niño conditions will have little impact on northern California.
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory / AP

    California Drought Persists; 2014 Warmest Year On Record

    Thursday, January 8, 2015
    Federal meteorologists said Thursday that California and Nevada had their warmest year on record in 2014. Meanwhile, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows the drought persists in both states and in the U.S. southwest.
  • UC Riverside / Courtesy

    Tumbleweed Connection: New Species Spreads In California

    A new invasive species of tumbleweed is rapidly spreading across California. And yes, tumbling is one of the reasons.

 agriculturedroughtclimate changewater resourceswater conservationDrought2015Cash for Grass

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

Andrew Nixon/CapRadio

Another atmospheric river brings more rain, wind and snow to Northern California

March 28, 2023

Martin do Nascimento / CalMatters

As floods endanger the San Joaquin Valley, Newsom cuts funding for floodplains

March 29, 2023

Most Viewed

A plumber crawled under a house in Los Angeles to do a job and then went missing

California coronavirus updates: Counties with universities saw population increases after students returned from pandemic closures

State may scale down its new home loan program designed to assist first-time homebuyers

Millions of Californians are at risk of losing Medi-Cal coverage

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

A plumber crawled under a house in Los Angeles to do a job and then went missing

California coronavirus updates: Counties with universities saw population increases after students returned from pandemic closures

State may scale down its new home loan program designed to assist first-time homebuyers

Millions of Californians are at risk of losing Medi-Cal coverage

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • 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.