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California Drought Enters Its 6th Year

Climate Nexus
Oct. 03, 2016 08:45AM EST
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/DLJp3loTKvO2Q" target="_blank">Giphy</a>

California's 2016 water year ended Friday with lower-than-expected rainfall and a "snow drought" as the state's snowpack measured well below average.

Folsom Lake in 2011 and 2014.

Giphy

Water year 2016, which ran from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, was officially categorized as "dry" statewide, continuing California's five-year drought. The onset of the new water year has brought attention to the record reliance on groundwater by farmers and water wars between corporations and residents.

For a deeper dive:

News: LA Times, Lake County News, New York Times, Sacramento Bee, San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Commentary: Wired, Nick Stockton column; Fresno Bee editorial

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