Drought Response

The 2011 – 2017 drought had adverse impacts on the Kings Basin’s surface and groundwater supplies. The majority of the irrigated farmland within the Basin received shortened or no surface water supplies for the growing season. In addition, both urban and agricultural groundwater pumping increased dramatically exasperating the overdrafted aquifer that supplies the region. Environmental needs were also impacted with less flow in the Kings River.

Although Governor Jerry Brown called an end to the drought emergency on April 7, 2017, water conservation must remain a way of life. Many of the region’s water agencies continue to engage in activities and programs to lessen the impacts of the recent drought and to mitigate the impacts of future droughts.