Overview

What is drought?

No simple, precise definition of drought exists. In general, a drought is an extreme event characterized by a prolonged period of abnormally low levels of precipitation that has adverse impacts on vegetation and animals. A drought is a temporary phenomenon and as such, it is distinct from aridity, which is a climatic feature of a particular region. Droughts occur periodically in every climatic zone, although some areas are more drought-prone than others.

Is California in a drought?

Droughts are a recurring feature of California’s climate and are becoming increasingly severe due to climate change. In the last century, the most significant statewide droughts occurred during the six-year period from 1929 to 1934, the two-year period from 1976 to 1977, the six-year period from 1987 to 1992, and the five-year period from 2012 to 2016. The 2012-2016 drought was one of extreme proportions, with record-high temperatures and record-low levels of snowpack and precipitation. 

And in 2021, California finds itself yet again in a drought, with water conditions at the end of the wet season far below normal for the second year in a row. Los Angeles had 40% of normal precipitation; San Diego only 30%. San Francisco 37%. Sacramento less than 40%. At its peak, the snowpack was just 59% of average. All of this on top of intense dry weather that contributed to a brutal fire season in 2020, with 4.3 million acres burned and at least $10 billion in property destroyed. As the dry season wears on, drought conditions are worsening. For the latest on water conditions in California, check out our current conditions page. 

What are the impacts of drought?

Droughts have social, economic, and environmental implications. Impacts that typically occur during a drought include the following:

Water Supply and Quality. Drought negatively impacts both the quantity and quality of water supplies. While a reduction in water supply is generally a temporary phenomenon, it can be permanent in some instances. Groundwater overdraft, for example, can cause land to sink, resulting in a permanent loss of groundwater storage. Drought can also compromise water quality, such as by concentrating salts and other contaminants, reducing dissolved oxygen levels, and increasing water temperatures. Water quality problems can exacerbate water supply problems.

Fish and Wildlife. During times of drought, political pressures often increase diversions of water away from ecosystems. As water levels in streams, rivers, and lakes decline, fish and wildlife are at risk of dying, potentially causing regional extinctions. Ecosystems under severe pressures due to water diversions, saltwater intrusion, and other stresses are especially vulnerable.

Energy. Drought can strain the energy system. The generation of hydroelectricity may drop dramatically as streamflow declines, increasing electricity prices as electricity production shifts to the more expensive fossil fuel (e.g., natural gas). Electricity generation from thermoelectric plants may also be curtailed if insufficient cooling water is available or if temperature limits in receiving waters are exceeded. Additionally, higher temperatures associated with drought reduce the efficiency of thermal power plants and of transmission and distribution lines while increasing energy demand for cooling and air-conditioning systems.

Agriculture. Some farmers and water districts with junior water rights may see water allocations from state and federal irrigation projects severely cut during a drought. Farmers facing a water shortage may seek temporary water transfers from other users, increase groundwater pumping, change the types of crops they grow, move towards drought-resilient irrigation, or leave some lands fallow.

Rural Communities. Rural communities are often dependent on a single water source, which increases vulnerability to water scarcity. Declining water supplies and water quality problems may force communities to switch to bottled water, dig deeper wells, and truck in water to refill holding tanks. These actions can impose local economic hardships on those living in rural areas, many of whom are among the most disadvantaged communities.

Urban Areas. Large urban areas are rarely at risk of running out of water. These areas often have multiple water sources, and their water needs are typically prioritized over other uses. During a drought, urban water utilities can implement a wide range of voluntary and mandatory water conservation programs. These include education programs, incentives to install water-efficient appliances and gardens, and restrictions on discretionary water uses, such as watering lawns.

Revenue Losses. For most water utilities, fixed costs (e.g., debt service on past water system investments) are relatively high and variable costs (e.g., energy and chemical costs) are relatively low. Reducing water use cuts variable costs but has no impact on fixed costs (at least in the short term). As water use declines, revenue from the sale of water also declines and may not be sufficient to recover the fixed costs. In response, water utilities may enact drought surcharges or draw from reserves. While surcharges increase the water rate (i.e., the price per gallon), those using less water may actually see their bills go down. Furthermore, conservation lessens the impact of the drought on water bills by avoiding the purchase of more expensive water supplies.

How do we know when a drought is over?

Drought is very difficult to measure. Since it is characterized by a significant lack of precipitation, a drought is thought to “end” when a region receives rain. However, a single precipitation event is not enough to break a drought. Droughts incur a significant water deficit, so the end of drought requires sustained and significant periods of precipitation, occurring at the right time, in the right place, and in the right form.

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Californiadrought.org is a project of the Pacific Institute in Oakland, California, one of the world’s leading independent nonprofits researching and finding solutions to freshwater issues.

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