California Water Reservoirs Run Dangerously Low: 'Every Drop Is Precious'
AZUSA (CBSLA.com) — The evidence of extreme effects at the hands of California's historic drought continues to mount, as a number of reservoirs, which the state depends on for water, are now running dangerously low.
By mid February, California typically receives nearly ten inches of rain — this year, we have received just over a single inch.
When asked just how bad circumstances are, Assistant Deputy Director of Water Resources for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Chris Stone was nearly at a loss.
"(It's) truly historic, absolutely, we've never seen anything like it at this point."
The reservoirs essentially serve to capture rain as it falls from the sky and cascades down from local mountain ranges. From there, the water is delicately released downstream into nearby spreading grounds, where it proceeds into massive underground reservoirs, or "Aquifers", for safe keeping.
The spreading basin is usually active with captured rainwater to a depth of about ten feet. This year, however, it is completely dry.
"We have never had groundwater levels where they're at today, and it's very concerning, because the projections ahead (predict) very little rainfall," Stone said.
Morris Dam on the San Gabriel River, meanwhile, is producing a mere trickle of water, where there is usually a steady flow.
In a recent visit, President Obama took survey over the landscape conditions in the San Joaquin Valley, and suggested that climate change is influencing the drought.
Meanwhile, as the state continues to suffer through the drought, Stone says there is only one thing residents can do.
"Conserve as much water as you can, every drop is precious. Don't take those long showers, try to cut back on water in your yards, every drop is precious."
