A dramatic jump in the last month and a half regarding how much of California is now considered free of drought. The U.S Drought Monitor says the percentage of the state still suffering from drought conditions, all in Southern and Central California, has dropped from 58% to 17%. It was 84% at the beginning of the water year, on October 1st. But Department of Water Resources Public Information Officer, Doug Carlson, says the state doesn’t put much stock in those numbers…

click to listen to Doug Carlson

The Drought Monitor’s analysis does include groundwater conditions, as well as precipitation, snowpack and reservoir levels, and strength of river flows. But Carlson reminds us that it’s not up to the Department of Water Resources to lift the drought emergency declaration that’s still in place…

click to listen to Doug Carlson

The Water Control Board is scheduled to re-consider lifting the declaration at its meeting in May, with the ultimate decision lying with Governor Brown.