State water officials optimistic for 2015

After 3 years of drought, the rain and snow forecast provides some hope for next year.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS

SACRAMENTO — State water officials say they're entering California's wet season with a glimmer of optimism, following three drought years.

The state's Department of Water Resources announced Monday that it plans to provide 10 percent of normal water supplies to farmers and cities in 2015 from a vast system of reservoirs and canals. That's up from the record low of 5 percent released this year.

Officials say improved rain and snow forecast for 2015 provides some hope, but the amount of water eventually provided may drop if the rainy season from now through February fails to produce.

Mark Cowin, director of the Water Resources department, says conservation remains important.

He says California needs a wet year with 150 percent of normal rain and snow to replenish its reservoirs and recover from drought.

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