State Water Officials Warn Of Shortages If 2014 Winter Is Dry
FRESNO (CBS/AP) -- State water officials are warning that low water levels in reservoirs across the state should be a warning that conservation measures might be necessary to get through next year.
With little chance for record-rain conditions to develop in the Pacific this winter, the state could be headed for trouble.
Mike Cowin of the state Department of Water Resources said a drought has not been declared, but water managers will face a challenge if 2014 is dry.
Pine Flat Reservoir in the Fresno County foothills is at 16 percent capacity and most of the state's other large water-storing reservoirs are well below average. California is coming off one of the driest winters on record.
Most of the state's water comes from the Sierra snowpack.
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