California escapes extreme drought after series of showers

CLIMATE

Conservation continues amid record-setting winter rainfall and tropical storm

Over 95% of California was classified as under severe drought one year ago. Today, all of the state is completely drought free, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which tracks the location and intensity of drought across the country.

Tropical Storm Hilary’s rare summer rain and last winter’s record-setting rainfall totals have worked together to solve the years-long problem of serious drought in California.

Last summer, California was in the midst of the most severe drought on record, and historic water restrictions were implemented in different areas across the state. January, February and March 2022 were the driest months on record dating back over 100 years, with just six inches of precipitation observed across the Sierra Nevada mountains, according to news reports at the time.

In early 2022, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced a scant 5% allocation of requested supplies from the State Water Project, water from northern California which on average provides 30% of southern California’s water supply.

In May 2022, DWR found no snow to measure at Phillips Station in the Sierra Mountains for the last survey of the 2022 water year. State officials use snowpack to determine water supply forecasts.

Emergency water conservation regulations were put in place, with water officials telling residents that recurring and more frequent drought cycles seem to be the new normal in California.

So even thought the state is now drought free, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) is working to increase and diversify local water supplies in preparation for the inevitable future droughts.

While water conservation efforts should continue, conservation will continue to be a part of everyday life in Leisure World, with some Mutuals planting native drought resistant gardens, altering watering schedules and cautioning residents against watering concrete and hardscape.

Other ways that LW residents can help conserve are:

• Do not water lawns and landscaping while it’s raining or for 48 hours after measurable rainfall.

• Do not allow excessive water flow or runoff onto sidewalks, driveway, street, alley or gutter when watering lawns, landscaping and vegetated areas.

• Plumbing system leaks must be immediately fixed.

• Do not hose or wash down hard or paved surfaces such as sidewalks, gutters, driveways, patios, pool decks, parking areas, tennis courts and alleys, except to alleviate immediate fire or sanitation hazards.

• Wash vehicles with a bucket and/or hose with a positive shutoff hose nozzle. This includes cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, boats, or trailers. The LW car wash at Clubhouse 2 uses recycled water.

California's drought is less intense this year. White areas have no drought; red areas have extreme or exceptional drought.California Drought Monitor