"No Relief Forecast After One Of California's Driest Years Ever"

"While the East Coast is digging out from a major winter storm, the West Coast is praying for rain. The state just finished one of the driest years on record, and that has water managers, farmers and others worried."



"For the third year in a row, rain and snowfall in the state have been extremely low. In a normal year, Los Angeles gets close to 15 inches of rain. In 2013, LA got about 3.5.

The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that almost 95 percent of California is enduring some level of drought. The California Department of Water Resources says much of the drought the state is experiencing can be attributed to climate change."

Sam H. Sanders reports for NPR's Morning Edition January 5, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Record-Setting Drought Threatens Salmon Survival" (Greenwire)

"Otter's Water: Governor Aims To Build Dams" (AP)

"No Permanent End Seen To Drought Conditions" (Idaho Mountain Express)

Source: NPR, 01/09/2014