Drought Help - California

Drought is a normal, recurrent feature of climate. It occurs almost everywhere, although its features vary from region to region. Droughts in California typically occur gradually over several years. California’s extensive water supply system can mitigate the effects of short-term dry periods, however California’s dependence on water for agriculture, industry, and recreation makes drought planning an economic necessity.

When a drought occurs the impacts are felt first by those most reliant on annual rainfall – farmers and ranchers. With more than 10 million acres of cropland and 30 million acres of rangeland, even a mild drought can have widespread effects. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers free technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers, as well as forest owners and communities, to help them conserve their natural resources.

How Can NRCS Help You?

NRCS can help you with your water, land or crop management concerns through the development of a conservation plan. Conservation plans can include drought planning and are free. Being prepared for a drought and creating a plan will allow you to continue your operation even in the most severe conditions.

NRCS Can Help You...

• Improve irrigation
• Reduce evaporation
• Restore wetlands
• Restore grasslands
• Choose drought resistant plants
• Improve water quality
• Create buffers
• Build water storage
• Retain soil moisture
• Restore rangeland
• Reduce runoff
• Reduce wildfire threat

For more information on drought in California visit the following Web sites or contact the California State NRCS Office at 430 G Street Davis, California, 95616 - (530) 792-5600.

• California Natural Resources Conservation Service
• California Department of Water Resources Drought Tips
• California Irrigation Management Systems
• UC Cooperative Extension
• UC Center for Water Resources
• Bureau of Reclamation
  
  

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