While Lake Tahoe is rising above its natural rim, recent news about reservoirs getting full and the California drought ending are a bit misleading.
Although all the winter snowfall and precipitation in the Sierra is a great start to ending the four-year drought, California is still in dire straights and nothing illustrates that situation better than the above map created by the California Department of Water Resources.
To this day, roughly 50% of California is still experiencing “exceptional” drought conditions. After all, the Sierra make up just a small portion of California and much of that precipitation will either be sucked up by agricultural needs or evaporate before reaching central and southwestern California.
In fact, only 3 of the 12 reservoirs pictured are above their historical average. The other 9 are currently well below their historical averages with New Melones Reservoir leading the pack of with a staggering 42% of its historical average for this time of year.
The good news?
California has come a long way since this time last year. As evidenced in the images below, exceptional drought has disappeared from the panhandle of northern California and Northwest California has been cured of its drought conditions, which is great news for the ailing Redwoods.
Drought Conditions As Of April 5, 2016
Drought Conditions As Of April 7, 2015
Still, the drought is still in full force for much of central California and citizens of the State of California must continue to exhibit restraint and responsibility when it comes to their water use.
Also Read: After Big Snowfall In The Sierra, How Bad Is the California Drought Right Now?
