After 5 years of below-normal precipitation around much of the state, the Department of Water Resources says it’s still not sure one great season will be enough to end the drought, at least statewide. Public Information Officer Ted Thomas says it’s more complicated than precipitation and snowpack numbers…
Thomas also reminds us that Southern California is still struggling with dry conditions. Although the U.S Drought Monitor says nearly half of California is currently classifed as “out of the drought”, which is mostly the northern half of the state, Thomas says that’s not a good snapshot of the true water conditions. He says their criteria is too narrow. He says it would be better to check back around the time of the April 1st snowpack measurement…
Thomas says there’s no specific formula for declaring a drought over. He says the governor’s office makes the official determination. It issued the first drought emergency declaration three years ago.
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