Drought Update: Over 80% of California Reservoirs Are Less than Half Full

Ten of California’s twelve major reservoirs are now less than 50% full, with some declining to levels as low as 20% of capacity.

The report that came out on Wednesday reveals that, although the reservoir levels are substantially depleted, they are still far from the record lows set in 1977, California’s driest year on record. California Department of Water Resources spokesman Ted Thomas said, “They are not historical levels, but they are seriously low.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that the study showed that, when you take into account all twelve reservoirs, the average capacity level is a 60%. In 1977, the statewide average of reservoirs was 41%. Notably, California’s largest reservoir, Lake Shasta, is only at 36% capacity, which is 4.5 million acre-feet of water.

Thomas points out that as the drought persists, reservoirs will continue to go down. “The more we use, the less there is,” he said.

Breitbart News has reported that the absence of rain has already pushed more than 80% of California into “extreme” and “exceptional” drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor map. Consequently, state officials have approved the imposition of up to $500 fines for water wasters, to be administered by “water Cops.”