When did the California drought begin?

California Drought. The USGS closely monitors the effects of drought through data collection and research. USGS science supports water managers in preparing for possible future drought by providing information that takes into account long-term hydrologic, climatic, and environmental changes. read more

Many millions of California trees died from the drought – approximately 102 million, including 62 million in 2016 alone. By the end of 2016, 30% of California had emerged from the drought, mainly in the northern half of the state, while 40% of the state remained in the extreme or exceptional drought levels. read more

Event narrative Droughts historically have a way of sneaking up on California, and the extraordinary 2012-2014 drought has been no exception. California precipitation during 2013 was by far the lowest on record. read more

Today’s California drought is starting to force similarly life-changing choices, this time in the nation’s most populous state, long a bellwether and, according to some counts, the world’s eighth largest economy. read more