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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.

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NRCS California Drought Help (PDF; 353 KB)

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

Drought Concerns in California

Ground & Surface Water Conservation

In May of 2003 California received $11.6 million through the Ground and Surface Water Conservation (GSWC) provision of the Environmental Quality Incentives (EQIP) program to help implement water conservation activities, including irrigation improvements and conversion to less water intensive crops. California depends heavily on irrigation for agricultural production and will use this money to help improve areas impacted by drought.  The GSWC funding must be used to conserve groundwater or surface water for agricultural operations. Producers who qualify for funding are required to contribute to a net savings of water by enhancing irrigation efficiencies, improving water storage measures or dryland farming.

The Klamath Basin

In the spring of 2001 a combination of drought and the impacts of the Endangered Species Act triggered a shutdown of irrigation water to more than 1,300 farms and ranches in the Klamath River Basin. NRCS in cooperation with Conservation Districts immediately began providing technical and financial assistance to minimize drought impacts. Over 41,000 acres of cover crops were established on highly erodible lands and eligible farmers continue to receive financial and technical assistance to improve the efficiency of on-farm irrigation systems, and implement water conservation measures.

Southern California Tree Mortality Emergency

Four years of drought in Southern California have weakened trees and exacerbated a bark-beetle infestation that has killed 80% of mature trees in the San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Palomar Mountains. As a result, the trees pose a significant threat to life and property from potential windstorms, devastating wildfires and subsequent erosion. NRCS is working to remove diseased trees from areas with significant populations and risk to property.

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.

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Last Modified: 06/20/2007