Drought in Northern Sacramento Valley, California

For the month of March, the U.S. Drought Monitor degraded all of Zone 15 to extreme drought. The zone saw emerging drought impacts due to the below average precipitation and relatively dry conditions the first few months of the calendar year. These impacts are similar to the previous year. However, reported impacts are more pronounced this March. Impacts to the region include; little to no allocation of water from irrigation districts to agriculture, reduced rangeland forage by as much as 85% without alternative forage, hay prices at record levels due to hay production elimination, cattle being sold, including calves that are typically sold in late Fall, as well as increasing reports of dry wells. The local economy has been significantly impacted.

Interior northern California is still experiencing widespread drought. Impacts from the relatively dry start to the calendar year have started to become evident across interior Northern California. Much of the region has increased the severity of the drought conditions with only the Delta remaining unchanged in drought level declaration for the month of March. Many local and regional, as well as state-wide restrictions continue with plans for increased restrictions forthcoming. Agricultural surface water deliveries are already scheduled to be significantly reduced. The state-wide drought declaration by governor Gavin Newsom also continues. Mandatory water restrictions are in place on outdoor water use for all Californians with possible fines to violators.