Weekly Newsletter

This newsletter highlights the devastating statewide impacts of the current water crisis and informs policymakers, stakeholders, and the public about the immediate need to support bold water solutions for 40 million Californians.

Click here to learn more about the severe impacts of California’s water supply crisis

The Southwest is bone dry. Now, a key water source is at risk. - Politico

Supplies at Lake Mead and Lake Powell are dangerously low, holding just more than a quarter of their total capacities — and threatening the dams’ ability to generate electricity and provide water to its nearly 40 million users. 

UC Study — drought to cause more than $1.3 billion in losses in Sacramento Valley - CDFA 

A University of California economic study projects that 2022 drought impacts to farm production are likely to cause a loss of about 14,300 jobs and an economic loss of about $1.315 billion in the Sacramento Valley, which is the part of the Central Valley north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

A billion pounds of California almonds stranded at ports amid drought, trade woes - Los Angeles Times

This year, with the state’s agricultural heartland struggling through a third year of drought, farmers are having to make tough decisions about abandoning orchards of the thirsty permanent crops that need year-round water.

California pistachio growers face more water challenges - Fresh Plaza 

All of this means more financial strain on growers, whether it’s absorbing the cost of purchasing water on the open market, which is scarcely available and then also needs to be transported, or paying to pump more for water out of the ground than what the grower’s groundwater basin allows to pump.

Extreme heat, drought will permanently scar California and its social fabric - Los Angeles Times

Some say what’s in store for the state could be akin to the conditions that drove people thousands of years ago to abandon thriving cities in the Southwest and other arid parts of the world as severe drought contributed to crop failures and the crumbling of social norms.

California is missing an entire year of rainfall since mid-2019, new figures show - The Mercury News

Over the three-year period that ended June 30, most Northern California cities received only about half to two-thirds of their historical average rainfall.

60% of California in ‘extreme’ drought or worse to start July, federal monitor says - Sacramento Bee

More than 97% of the state’s land area is in at least “severe” drought status, 60% in at least “extreme” drought and the driest 12% in “exceptional” drought, according to a weekly update Thursday from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Extreme California drought increases risk of wildfires - NY Post

Prediction issued for this summer’s wildfire potential - Wildfire today

The largest private landowner in the state closed its forests to the public, primarily due to wildfire threat.

The forecast for wildland fire potential issued July 1 by the National Interagency Fire Center predicts that in July it will increase to higher than “normal” this summer in Alaska, Texas, Northern California, and the eastern portions of Washington and Oregon. 

Southern California residents cut water in drought of 'epic proportions' - Ventura County Star

State emergency regulations require water districts to address a 20% water shortage and ban watering lawns on commercial, industrial and institutional properties.

Malibu residents asked to cut water usage by 30% - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

The city of Malibu is asking its residents to cut back their water usage by at least 30%. Like the rest of Southern California, the city of 10,000 residents is dealing with drought conditions.

Newport Beach tightens up water use - Spectrum News 1



The city council issued a level-2 water supply shortage this week, which means residents cannot use water from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in order to limit evaporation. Timers for landscape sprinklers must also be set for 10 minutes at a time.

California's policymakers need to understand and immediately address the harsh realities of today's water supply crisis. Policy solutions must be advanced to meet the state's present and future water supply needs for more than 40 million Californians.