US federal water managers on Monday urged California cities and industrial users to prepare for a fourth dry year and the possibility of severe conservation measures.
The Bureau of Reclamation is asking its contractors receiving Central Valley Project water for municipal and industrial use to begin planning for potentially extremely limited water supply conditions in 2023.
The bureau said that water storage is currently at historic lows in the reservoirs that it operates in the state of California.
The 2023 water year began on October 1st, and the Shasta Reservoir, which is California’s largest, is sitting at 31% capacity.
Water storage conditions will continue to be monitored, and the Reclamation Bureau will announce initial water supply allocations in February 2023.
Sputnik / ABC Flash Point News 2022.