SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke in Yolo County Friday morning to provide an update on the state's water supply and make an announcement on the drought.
Dunnigan is a small census-designated place in Yolo County, California, a bit northwest of Sacramento that also is home to some of the state’s critical water infrastructure.
The Dunnigan Water Project looks to recharge underground aquifers depleted by the drought by channeling water onto 200 acres of farmland.
Newsom and other officials highlighted the importance of groundwater as essential to helping the state manage drought and flooding, and that while the deluge of rain and snowfall has been helpful, making sure those affected by recent flooding is also important.
"Moving forward, whether it's raining or not raining, we simply have to be smarter about the way we use water," said Newsom's Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot in an interview with KCBS Radio.
Friday, following the last few months of major rainfall, Newsom provided an update on the state's drought outlook.
"In October we ended the driest three-year period in over a century," said Crowfoot. "And then in January, we experienced the wettest three weeks on record."
In Friday's announcement, Crowfoot said that the recent rainfall means that the state can increase its allocation to state water contractors from 35% to 75%, bringing more water to various communities.
Newsom announced that the emergency drought proclamation has been modified, instead of being removed altogether.
"It is, and continues to be, complicated," said Newsom of the drought situation. "And I know that’s disappointing for some."
While the proclamation is not over, Newsom did announce major changes, including ending the voluntary 15% water conservation goal and ending the requirement that local water agencies implement level 2 drought contingency plans.
Provisions still remain in place regarding water waste and groundwater.
And, some local cities and counties have rolled back some of their drought restrictions as well.
But despite the massive snowpack and bursting reservoirs in some areas of the state, in other areas, the drought lingers on.
"There are areas of the state that still are very much dealing with intense drought conditions, including the Klamath River Basin up in the northern border of the state," said Crowfoot to KCBS Radio.
"As well as the whole southeast part of the state that relies on the Colorado River," he said.
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