2021: The Year California Fell Back Into A Drought

ACROSS CALIFORNIA — To date, 2021 has been the 16th driest year in California over the past 127 years. But with October being the fourth-wettest in 127 years, some are asking whether the Golden State may be headed out of the drought just as soon as it began.

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that 23.1 percent of California was still in an exceptional drought, down from 37.6 one month prior. Another 79.4 percent of California remained in extreme drought as of Dec. 21, while 92.4 percent of the Golden State was in a severe drought and 100 percent was in a moderate drought.

In an exceptional drought — or level D4 — fields are left fallow; orchards are removed; vegetable yields are low; the honey harvest is small; fire season is very costly; the number of fires and area burned are extensive; fish rescue and relocation begins; pine beetle infestation occurs; forest mortality is high; wetlands dry up; survival of native plants and animals is low; fewer wildflowers bloom; wildlife death is widespread, and algae blooms appear.

In an extreme drought — or level D3 — livestock need expensive supplemental feed; cattle and horses are sold; little pasture remains; fruit trees bud early; producers begin irrigating in the winter; fire season lasts year-round; fires occur in typically wet parts of state; burn bans are implemented; water is inadequate for agriculture, wildlife, and urban needs; reservoirs are extremely low, and hydropower is restricted.

During a severe drought — or level D2 —grazing land is inadequate; fire season is longer, with high burn intensity, dry fuels, and large fire spatial extent; trees are stressed; plants increase reproductive mechanisms, and wildlife diseases increase.

In a moderate drought — level D1— dryland pasture growth is stunted; producers give supplemental feed to cattle; landscaping and gardens need irrigation earlier; wildlife patterns begin to change, and stock ponds and creeks are lower than usual.

During an "abnormally dry" season — level D0 — soil is dry; irrigation delivery begins early; dryland crop germination is stunted, and active fire season begins.

California's last drought lasted for more than 7 years, from December 2011 to March 2019.

The drought was declared over and Californians breathed a sigh of relief.

For the remainder of 2019 and into 2020, however, most of California remained in an abnormally dry state and some areas experienced a moderate drought.

Then, the 2020 rainy season was the third driest on record, and it came on the heels of another dry year.

Murmurings of another drought started as early as spring 2020 when "extremely low" rainfall and the use of water from local reservoirs to fight wildfires were cited as factors that contributed to local water emergencies in communities such as St. Helena in the Napa Valley wine-growing region. Over the last decade, some of the worst wildfires in California history have ravaged Northern California's wine country.

A Look Back: 2021 And The California Drought

As 2021 comes to a close, we take a look back at how another California drought has started to affect our lives, and what our local, regional, state and federal elected officials have done and are doing about the Golden State's water woes.

March 23, 2021: St. Helena City Council To Discuss Penalties For Water Wasters

As the elevation of Bell Canyon Reservoir falls to 400.11 feet — equivalent to 40 percent capacity and very low compared to last year's 70.2 percent capacity for the same time period — the St. Helena City Council is scheduled to review penalty options associated with excess water use.

April 21, 2021: Gov. Newsom Declares Drought Emergency In 2 California Counties

Gov. Gavin Newsom — standing in the barren, dried-up bed of Lake Mendocino — declares a regional drought emergency in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

The executive order will bring resources and aid to the two counties. But Newsom said the state won't enforce water conservation measures.

April 26, 2021: Marin County Water District Enacts Tough Restrictions

The Marin Municipal Water District last week enacted tough restrictions amid what the agency described as historic drought conditions.

Marin Water's Board of Directors unanimously adopted mandatory restrictions at its Tuesday meeting that prohibit washing vehicles at home, power washing homes and businesses, and flooding gutters.

Watering grass on public medians and using potable water for dust control, sewer flushing and street cleaning are also prohibited.

April 27, 2021: Drought Emergency Declared By Sonoma County: 'No Water To Waste'

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors declares a drought emergency and asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to seek a presidential disaster declaration.

According to the county, after two consecutive extraordinarily dry years, Lake Mendocino was at 43 percent of target capacity and Lake Sonoma was at 62 percent of capacity — the lowest both lakes had been on this date.

"The drought in Sonoma County may result in broad impacts and considerations that extend beyond drinking water and conservation efforts. In some instances, such as local agriculture, the drought has created a critical emergency with significant crop loss and costs to local producers. Now is the time to save every drop of water," Sonoma County Supervisor Lynda Hopkins said. "There is no water to waste."

April 30, 2021: As CA's Drought Conditions Worsen, RivCo GOP Lawmaker Pushes Bill

A bill co-authored by U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert would extend California provisions of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act through fiscal year 2028.

President Barack Obama signed the WIIN Act into law in late 2016. The California portion of the Act — Subtitle J — is set to expire later this year unless an extension is brokered. Subtitle J calls for, among other things, the "approval of operations or temporary projects to provide additional water supplies as quickly as possible" in California while still adhering to state and federal laws/regulations.

May 30, 2021: California's Drought Became Dire In May — Here's What To Expect

California entered the month of May officially in a drought and by the end of the month, more than a quarter of the state was categorized as having exceptional drought conditions, the direst category. Depleted reservoirs up and down the state mean water-use restrictions and a brutal fire season are in California's near-future, experts warn.

June 1, 2021: Drought Emergency Declared By City Of American Canyon

The city of American Canyon in Napa County declared a stage 1 drought emergency, calling for voluntary water conservation.

June 18, 2021: 25 Photos Show Severity Of California Drought Conditions

California reservoirs depict deepening droughts amid one of the hottest summers to date. While the Golden State is no stranger to droughts, this time around is especially unsettling as reservoirs show dry conditions that haven't been seen since 1967-77.

June 21, 2021: Worst CA Drought In As Much As 1,200 Years As Seen By Satellite

NASA releases satellite images putting California's drought into stark relief. The drought was made worse by the first major heatwave of the year and has demolished temperature records and left the state a tinderbox as it heads into fire season.

The heatwave — which also shattered records across the western United States — exacerbated California's drought: 85 percent of the state fell into extreme drought as of June 17, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

The drought has now reached historic proportions and drew comparisons with the end of the state's previous seven-year drought.

June 29, 2021: Local Emergency Due To Drought Declared In Santa Clara County

Weeks after the Santa Clara Valley Water District declared a water shortage emergency, Santa Clara County declared a local emergency due to the extreme drought conditions and called on residents and businesses in the county's unincorporated areas to begin conserving water

The water district had recommended at a meeting June 9 that the county declare a local emergency and implement mandatory water restrictions to accomplish a 15 percent reduction in water use from 2019 — or 33 percent of 2013 water use — along with proposed restrictions that include caps on using potable water for outdoor landscaping and irrigation and washing cars and structures.

July 8, 2021: Gov. Newsom Declares Drought Emergency For Marin County

Gov. Gavin Newsom extends an emergency drought proclamation to include nine additional counties including Marin.

Marin was among three Bay Area counties added to the proclamation that now includes 50 of the state's 58 counties.

The declaration gives the state expanded power including the ability to restrict the rights of some water users and the suspension of environmental regulations.

July 20, 2021: Drought: Moisture Levels In San Mateo Co. Remain At Record Low

Fuel moisture levels in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties continue to decrease and are at historically low levels as fire officials prepare for fire season.

Cal Fire CZU performed a bi-monthly fuel moisture test on vegetation across its region and found that sites in both counties outside the marine layer remain at historically dry levels.

The moisture levels detected at the sites — Pulgas in San Mateo County and Saratoga Summit in Santa Cruz County — remain consistent with the driest parts of the drought from 2011 to 2017 and are also four to six weeks ahead of last year's values, according to fire officials.

July 23, 2021: Stage 2 Drought Emergency Declared By City Of American Canyon

A month later, when the city did not reach a desired 10 percent reduction in water use, American Canyon declared a stage 2 drought which made it mandatory for customers to cut water use by 20 percent.

Stage 2 also prohibited:

• Using water for gardening, landscape irrigation, washing vehicles or equipment between noon and 6 p.m.
• Washing sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or other paved areas.
• Irrigating at any time if it results in runoff in a gutter or other drainage conveyance system.
• Using water to fill a new swimming pool, spa, pond or similar recreational basin of water
• Operating any ornamental fountain or other structure making similar or otherwise ornamental use of water outside.

July 27, 2021: Water Shortage: Calls For Voluntary Reductions Begin In Palos Verde

It's now time for residents to voluntarily reduce water usage amid a growing water shortage in California, West Basin Municipal Water District officials said.

July 28, 2021: Culver City Asks Residents To Reduce Water Usage In Drought

California is experiencing severe drought conditions and Culver City is pushing to reduce its water usage by 15 percent, officials said.

"Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a drought state of emergency in 50 of the State's 58 counties," officials said. "Everyone is encouraged to use water responsibly and make conservation an important part of their routine every day."

Aug. 18, 2021: Gilroy To Meet With County Water District To Discuss Drought

The city of Gilroy will take part in a joint meeting with the Santa Clara Valley Water District and city of Morgan Hill to discuss the water shortage emergency in Santa Clara County.

Earlier in August, Gilroy declared a Level 2 water supply shortage due to worsening drought conditions and placed limits on watering hours, days and duration with a goal of achieving 33 percent reduction in water use compared to 2013 levels.

Sept. 23, 2021: 'Water Banking': Riverside County Agencies Join Up

Water districts in Riverside County have joined with districts throughout the region to form a water banking program intended to provide access to stored supplies in the event of drought, it was announced Wednesday.

"This is a historic agreement and will benefit millions of Southern California residents by better preparing our respective regions for future droughts," Perris-based Eastern Municipal Water District Board President Phil Paule said.

Oct. 19, 2021: CA's Drought Emergency Extended To Include Riverside County

With water conservation efforts continuing to fall short, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended a drought emergency declaration statewide Tuesday, adding eight counties that were previously excluded, including all of Southern California.

"As the western U.S. faces a potential third year of drought, it's critical that Californians across the state redouble our efforts to save water in every way possible," Newsom said in a statement. "With historic investments and urgent action, the state is moving to protect our communities, businesses and ecosystems from the immediate impacts of the drought emergency while building long-term water resilience to help the state meet the challenge of climate change impacts making droughts more common and more severe."

Oct. 25, 2021: Petaluma Coast Guard Center To Undergo Energy Resilience Upgrade

The U.S. Coast Guard awarded a $48 million "Energy-Savings Performance Contract" that will make a $36.1 million capital investment at Training Center Petaluma, the Coast Guard's largest west coast training facility.

The project will safeguard the remote campus against recurring climate threats including wildfires, high winds, drought and power outages, and is designed to provide 10 days of self-sufficient operations for the Petaluma campus using energy conservation measures.

Nov. 3, 2021: Agoura Hills Water District Declares Local Drought Emergency

The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District unanimously voted to declare a drought emergency and intensified their drought mitigation efforts.

The decision closely follows Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide drought emergency declaration on Oct. 19, as the state may enter its third consecutive year of drought.

The district, which covers Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Hidden Hills, relies almost exclusively on imported water. This water is allocated to the region by the State Water Project, which has already reduced their initial water allocations for the year as the water level in some state reserves hits record lows.

Nov. 10, 2021: Winged Warning: Migrating Birds Hit Hard By California's Drought

California is the most critical link in the 4,000-mile-long Pacific Flyway, a route along the West Coast where millions of birds shuttle between their summer and winter homes. It's an arduous journey, hopscotching from wetlands and waterways, allowing birds to rest and refuel, shoring up strength for their trip.

Wildlife experts say this year's severe drought has uncoupled that connectivity. Normal routes — long imprinted in migrating birds' navigation systems — have gone haywire.