Drought in Carquinez Strait and Delta, California

For the month of March, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept all of Zone 18 in severe 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. Some of the impacts the region saw included; reduced forage, decreased stock weights, livestock stress, selling of livestock, decrease in water allocation, increased reports of dry wells including domestic wells, hauling of water, and plans to fallow large areas of cropland.

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.