Drought — Carquinez Strait and Delta, California

2022-06-01 to 2022-06-30 · Carquinez Strait and Delta, California

Event narrative

For the month of June, the U.S. Drought Monitor kept the eastern portion of Zone 18 in extreme drought (D3) with the remainder of the zone in severe drought (D2). The zone saw drought impacts continue due to the below average precipitation for the water year at around 70-85% of average. Some of the impacts the region saw included; reduced forage, decreased stock weights, livestock stress, selling of livestock, decrease in water allocation, earlier onset of irrigation, increased reports of dry wells including domestic wells, hauling of water, and plans to fallow large areas of cropland.

Wider weather episode

Interior northern California is still experiencing widespread drought. No changes were made to drought severity levels for the month of June. Much of the region remains in severe to extreme drought with the southern portions of the region in exceptional drought. Many local and regional, as well as state-wide restrictions continue. Agricultural surface water deliveries are 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. Agriculture and most of the state's energy development are water-intensive industries and less water will mean communities across California are going to suffer this year during the drought.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1035209. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.