Following a historically dry start to the year, some of California's largest reservoirs are already at critically low levels halfway through Spring.
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With no significant rain expected until October, Bay Area water agencies are urging people to conserve as much as they can. While some Northern California reservoirs have a fair amount others have struggled, Lake Oroville sits at just half full.
"Further up in the Sacramento valley you have Lake Shasta, which is at it's lowest levels for May in its history," Michael Anderson said.
Anderson is State Climatologist with the California Department of Water Resources said California could see its driest year on record.
"As summer goes and the landscape dries out it really will depend on kind of how we transition into the dry season and how warm and hot conditions get," he said.
To adapt Santa Clara County is cracking down on water wasters, those using to much water could be hit with fines up to $500.
Meanwhile, the East Bay Municipal Water District is adding an 8% drought surcharge. Nelsy Rodriguez is a spokesperson with East Bay MUD she said the surcharge encourages conservation and covers the cost of purchasing water from other areas.
"To turn on these very large facilities and make sure they are staffed appropriately and to purchase the water itself is very expensive," she explains.
That surcharge adds up to about $3 a month for the average single-family home.
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