WSP11116

• File Number: 8056
• Description: Drought Preparedness
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 2/1/1976
• Author: Dept of Water Resour
• Title: Special Report on Dry Year Impacts in California
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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IMPACTS

The major impact of lack of precipitation thus far
in the 1975-76 water year has been felt by dry farmed agricul-
ture. Winter sports losses are second in magnitude. Estimates
of further impacts are discussed for two conditions this spring:
I. if precipitation is normal the rest of the year, and 2. if
it is in the lower quartile (not greater than the best of the
lowest 25% of the years of record). The estimated percent of
average runoff of 4 major str'~ams under these two conditions
is shown in Table 3. In addition, the impacts are estimated
if this year's precipitation continues at the lower quartile
and is followed by lower quartile precipitation in 1976-77.

Agriculture

A report by the Department of Food and Agriculture,
January 28, 1976, contains an estimate of $310 million of
agricultural loss thus far because of the dry season.

Tab le 3

1975-76 WatE,r Year Projected Flows
in Percent of Average

Projected flow
Project flow percentage based
percentaqe based on 50% of normal
on normal precip. precip. and snow
Basin and snow accumu- accumulation
lation after (Approximate
Feb. 1, 1976 lower quartile)
after Feb. 1, 1976
Shasta Inflow
(Includes Pit, 67% 53%
McCloud, Sacto. R.)
American R.
Inflow to Folsom 50% 30%
Kings R. I
Inf low to Pine Flat ! 52% 23%
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Kern R. I
Inflow to Isabella I 57% 32%
!

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