Survey Will Likely Prove California's Drought Is Over
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — State water officials will conduct a snow survey Wednesday that will likely prove California's three-year drought is over.
California's Department of Water Resources says electronic readings from state mountain ranges are expected to indicate that snowpack water content is 159 percent of the full-season average that is normally reached by April 1.
More than 61 feet of snow has fallen in the Sierra high country so far this season.
Water officials say most of the state's reservoirs are also above normal for this time of year.
Because of that, Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to declare that the drought is over.
Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a drought in June 2008, as well as a state of emergency in February 2009.
Metropolitan Water District officials in Southern California say the declaration is good news, but long-term water management and eco-system challenges remain.
Los Angeles water officials say you should still conserve water at home, at the office, and while cooking and cleaning.
Visit Save Our Water for important conservation tips.
