California will allow more water to flow to farms and residents as more snowpack melts into the state’s watersheds, the state announced April 29.
Last month, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) filled 40 percent of what local jurisdictions and farmers requested. This month, that was raised to 50 percent.
“This winter, water managers were able to navigate extreme swings between wet and dry conditions thanks in part to new operating permits that allow increased flexibility in operations to move water into storage while protecting endangered species,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth in a statement.
According to Nemeth, the state’s full reservoirs allow the state to help meet the needs of local jurisdictions and their customers this year, and the water will provide some additional supply for next year if dry conditions return….