Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2014 14:12:17 EST
Summary: Lack of precipitation through out California for the past three months has created below normal to much below normal streamflow
in the northern two-thirds of the state.
The four major river basins in California, Sacramento, American, Feather, and the San Joaquin are all
experiencing flows that are in the 10 percent and below percentile classes based on comparison to
historical records for the month of January. Water deliveries from the State Water Project and Reclamation's
Central Valley Project to urban residents and farmers have been severely cut or eliminated in some instances.
Sierra snowpack was at 12 percent of normal as of February 3.
Most of the nearly 500 stream gages operated by the California Water Science Center are currently at below normal
to much below normal flows for this time of year. Record low flows are being experienced at several gages in the
northern part of the state. 41 low flow measurements have been made, 12 are low flow measurements of record.
Five ratings have been extended and 10 extra measurements have been made. Orifice lines have been extended at several sites.
Rains this past weekend have done little to alleviate long term drought conditions. Current Waterwatch map does shows some
improvement to conditions of normal to above normal, however, with out additional precipitation antecedent conditions
will quickly return leaving most streamgages in the state at less that 10 of normal for this time of year.