(January 30, 2009) Snow water content is 61 percent of normal for the date, according to the second snow survey of the winter season, announced yesterday by the state Department of Water Resources (DWR).

DWR director Lester Snow said that low precipitation in January and snowpack results indicate California is heading for a third dry year. “We may be at the start of the worst California drought in modern history.  It’s imperative for Californians to conserve water immediately at home and in their businesses,” he said.

DWR took manual survey results at four locations near Lake Tahoe. Those, combined with electronic readings, indicate a statewide snowpack water content of 61 percent (49 percent in the Northern Sierra, 63 percent in the Central Sierra, and 68 percent in the Southern Sierra).  Last year at this time, snowpack was 111 percent of normal, but the driest spring on record followed, resulting in a second consecutive dry water year. 

California’s snowpack water content is particularly significant this year because the state has endured two years of drought and the state’s reservoirs are low. Because less-than-normal water supply conditions exist, the initial State Water Project allocation for 2009 was placed at only 15 percent of water contractors’ requested amounts. The results of this survey could have an impact on future allocations. Exacerbating the problem is the fact that it is unlikely that water contractors will receive any water allocations from the federal Central Valley Project water supply.

Precipitation to date is at only 70 percent of normal statewide, indicating this may be dry year, while unseasonably warm and dry conditions are rapidly melting the snowpack. Furthermore, regardless of snowpack conditions, it is clear water deliveries through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will remain in jeopardy because of recent and pending regulatory uncertainty.

In preparation for another dry year, DWR is facilitating what water transfers may be available through the state’s Drought Water Bank Program and working with local water agencies to update their Urban Water Management Plans. Many providers have already enacted mandatory or voluntary water rationing, and it is likely more agencies will require some form of rationing if dry conditions persist.

The existing water supply for residents, business and agriculture has been constrained not only by nature but also by various court orders and environmental regulations restricting deliveries.

Missed Opportunity

Last year started out as one that many hoped would include approval of a water bond which would provide new reservoirs or dams and lay the groundwork for an isolated facility to protect the Delta from further deterioration while ensuring that sufficient water could be provided to all those communities relying on the State Water Project (SWP) for their supplies. That was not to happen.

In December 2007, a coalition of business, agriculture and labor representatives submitted several versions of an initiative bond with funds for increased water storage and conveyance, for improvements in the Delta ecosystem, and to protect the Delta from catastrophic earthquakes and levee failures. The filing of multiple versions was designed to preserve options and ensure there would be time to gather signatures for a November 2008 bond initiative.

Early in 2008, a couple of legislative water bond proposals were introduced and debated. They were geared more toward conservation than increased storage capacity. Serious conversations were taking place about placing a legislative bond on the ballot until the state’s budget deficit surfaced, derailing the effort. It wasn’t until late in the legislative session that the water bond issue surfaced again, but not in time to place a proposal on either ballot. Not even the combined energies of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein could move the issue forward.

The state’s water supply has moved from critical status to dire straits. A third dry year will bring more restrictions on water use, moving from outdoor restrictions to indoor limits, further stressing the state’s fragile economy.

CalChamber President and Chief Executive Officer Allan Zaremberg addresses the inaugural State of the Santa Ana River Watershed Conference in Ontario.

Yesterday during the inaugural State of the Santa Ana River Watershed Conference in Ontario, Allan Zaremberg, CalChamber president and chief executive officer, explained to more than 1,000 business, environmental and water stakeholders that California must find united solutions to balancing population growth, economics, the environment and securing safe, reliable water.

“If we do not address our water challenges, the state of our economy now will be the state of our economy in perpetuity,” Zaremberg said.

CalChamber Position

The CalChamber supports a balanced approach to securing a safe and reliable supply of water for all businesses and residents of the state. Water conservation, recycling, reuse and water use efficiencies, in combination with an adequate water supply, storage and conveyance system, would provide enough water to ensure the state’s viability.