SOUTHLAND – (INT) – California’s water managers are grateful for the water supply and ecosystem benefits the current series of storms are bringing to the state. But they hasten to add that it will take more than one wet month to end the multi-year drought.

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) recalled that the record precipitation of December 2021 was followed by the driest January, February and March 2022 in history.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the MWD said “Climate change is bringing never-before-seen extremes – from record dry periods with temperatures reaching new heights, to intense storms that produce rivers of water in short periods of time.”

The MWD called for Californians to adapt and manage through extremes. “That requires investments in storage, conveyance, conservation and new local supplies. We have no other choice but to adapt so that we are more resilient to these conditions.”

Story Date: January 28, 2023