Storm didn't help California drought conditions

The largest storm of the season provided a welcome boost to winter rainfall levels, but water officials say the effect on the statewide drought would be minimal.

“You have to understand we are coming off of two dry years to begin with,” said Cynthia Palmer, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. “We’re still playing catch-up, but every little bit helps.”

Rainfall levels in Southern California are running at about 80% to just-under-100% of normal levels, but the statewide snowpack is only at 71% of the norm, Palmer said.

The rain did help boost local groundwater supplies to a modest degree. “What we’ve gained as a result of this storm is about 2 1/2 inches of snow with adequate water content. ... So it’s not going to help us that much,” said David Nahai, general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

Last week, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called for increased water restrictions and the adoption of a tiered water rate that would punish DWP customers who fail to conserve.

Conditions in Orange County, which relies on groundwater systems for 70% if its water supply, aren’t much better.

“Obviously every little bit of water helps, but we still are in a drought condition,” said Mike Marcus, general manager of the Orange County Water Department.

By Tuesday afternoon, downtown Los Angeles had received 8.54 inches of rain since July, less than an inch below the seasonal norm of 9.37 inches, according to the National Weather Service in Oxnard. But the storm that stretched from Oregon to the Mexican border did little for the Eastern Sierra snowpack, a major source of drinking water for the city.

-- Alexandra Zavis

Comments

[Steve]

The headline "didn't help" is misleading. we went from 6 inches to 8.5 inches, almost a 50% increase....so that helps....even if just a little. If Mayor V. "didn't" make such a big deal about the drought then the LA Times "Didn't" have to put the word "Didn't" in their headline.

[Dante]

I'm sick of hearing about droughts. Every year our water situation is severe, and no matter how much it rains or does not rain, it's always reported that we are below normal levels. To me it's all a joke.

[Radiomantodd]

@ Steve - If you're running at a net deficit coming into the year... only exceeding the average will "help." So if we somehow managed to get another 10" of rain this year, then it will help. But until then....

[Rocco]

We'd better find a way to collect that water. There's obviously a need, and it would create another industry that would help put people back to work. Less complaining from water officials, and more research and development would be a positive step. Every time it rains, we hear, oh, but we've still got problems. This is a tired and boring answer.

[woodstock1969]

If the drought doomsayers admit it helped, then they would have nothing to doom us with. They are just part of doomsayers added to the Global warming crowd. If there were no drought, they would have no power or attention. Do you think for a minute they would give that up???

[EthanQ]

One wonders how much all this talk about water is connected to a desire to raise water rates.

[Irene]

Dante--
Every year our water situation is severe because every year we overuse the resources that were allotted to this part of the country. Every year more people move to Southern California, and every year we move closer to the day that LA is not habitable. So how could you possibly think that these droughts are a joke?

[Tell The Truth]

There is no drought - that is a big lie. There is a water shortage because for decades cities like Los Angeles have done nothing to control growth and have also done nothing to improve the city infrastructure. We have the same amount of water we've always had but there are too many people for the infrastructure.

It's time for a change in Los Angeles - there is an election coming up next month and there are candidates for mayor who don't lie like Villaraigosa.

[brady Westwater]

My confidence in anything the government tells us is rapidly declining.

This last storm brought the snowfall at Mammoth to 368 inches this year - and normal is.... 339 inches; and the rest of this month and March and April can still have heavy snowfalls.

Now i know the snowpack (which is somewaht different than snowfall, of course) is measured at different parts of hte Sierra - but I also seem to recall that those measurements are done on specific days - in which case they would not account for the last few storms - making the comparasion cited in the story meaningless.

Also, Mammoth is in the part of the SIerras where our water comes from - so if the overall SIerra measurement also include areas that do not provide us with water - such as the Tahoe Basin, they might not be as accurate.

Additionally, is the 71% figure what we need for the whole season - or is that for the percentage it should be at this time of the year? Again, I don't know. But these are questions that someone should know the answer to.

[Mike Johnson]

As a public service, we have created an online Discussion group for Landscape Professionals and for water board officials to share best practices, ideas, etc for managing Landscape in both DROUGHT Times and in GOOD Times, too.

We have already added several prominent "EXPERTS in the field", I am so very appreciative they are willing to join in. So we are well on our way to achieving goal number 1. I would; however, like to see some contribution and active participation by the State and local water boards.

GOALS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Collect some of the best experts in the field.
2. Collect some of the best professionals with hands on experience but perhaps lacking in the theory.
3. Collect a large group of young professional with promise but lacking in experience and theory
4. Gather some Regulating authority officials for their input.
5 To exchange concepts, & best practices, eliminate or negate any myths or untruths.
6. Discuss the best ways to deal with the various regional drought situations.
7. Share success stories that users may achieve. What they did and what problems they experienced and how did they deal with the problems.
8. Possibly arrange for either some regional classes; a webinar class or some way of providing training yet undetermined
9. Influence the water agencies and perhaps the equipment manufacturers
10 . Explore ways to look ahead to the time after the drought avoiding the potential to slip back into old bad habits.

The Link to our Introduction and goals is: http://www.managelandscapewater.com

The direct link to the discussion group is :http://www.managelandscapewater.org/

Please consider Joining in the Discussion - do it today!

We may also be followed on Twitter: http://twitter.com/landscapewater/

I am also preparing a Press Release for WorldWide distribution next Tuesday is all goes well.

Looking forward to a fruitful exchange of information and best practices.

Best regards, Mike Johnson, General Manager,

Who is doing What Where & Why