Post by Logan on Jan 11, 2016 1:55:34 GMT -6
Now that 2016 has gotten off to a wet start, with a series of El Niño storms drenching California in recent days, the question is turning up with increasing frequency at dinner parties and coffee shops:
"How will we know when the drought is over?"
The answer, water experts say, is more complicated than you'd think.
Simply put: The drought could end this year, according to state water officials. But for that to happen, as California enters the fifth year of the worst drought in the state's history, rains will have to continue arriving in pounding, relentless waves through April to fill depleted reservoirs and dry rivers and push the Sierra snowpack to at least 150 percent of normal.
Continued at www.mercurynews.com/drought/ci_29364616/california-drought-how-will-we-know-when-its .
"How will we know when the drought is over?"
The answer, water experts say, is more complicated than you'd think.
Simply put: The drought could end this year, according to state water officials. But for that to happen, as California enters the fifth year of the worst drought in the state's history, rains will have to continue arriving in pounding, relentless waves through April to fill depleted reservoirs and dry rivers and push the Sierra snowpack to at least 150 percent of normal.
Continued at www.mercurynews.com/drought/ci_29364616/california-drought-how-will-we-know-when-its .