California Drought
Follow the latest California Drought news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
2 years ago

Snowpack in the West is melting rapidly. Where will all that extra water go?

It's getting hot out West -- and those scorching temperatures are rapidly thawing incredible amounts of snowpack in the mountains.
2 years ago
As the snowpack melts, water flows swiftly in Alder Creek, on April 26, 2023, in Yosemite National Park, Calif.
2 years ago

Why people still live, vacation in California despite extreme weather events

Earthquakes, snow, wildfires, flooding, smog, fog, heat, drought -- these are just some of extreme disasters experienced in California.
2 years ago
CalFire Placer Crew firefighters monitor a backfire during the Mosquito fire in Foresthill, an unincorporated area of Placer County, Calif., Sept. 14, 2022.
2 years ago

By the Numbers: California drought

The number behind the improvement in California’s drought picture after a few weeks of rain and snow storms.
2 years ago
VIDEO: By the Numbers: California drought
2 years ago

'Extreme' drought completely eliminated in California for 1st time in 3 years

"Extreme" drought has been completely eliminated in California for the first time in nearly three years, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
2 years ago
Rain falls as a pedestrian walks up a hill carrying an umbrella in San Francisco, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.
3 years ago

California drought could dry up LA's lawns

Water restrictions could dry out lawns in Los Angeles as the state grapples with a worsening drought. ABC News national radio correspondent Alex Stone reports.
3 years ago
VIDEO: California drought could dry up LA’s lawns
3 years ago

Urgent new water restrictions as extreme drought worsens in the West

The water level at Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the country that provides irrigation and drinking water to 25 million people, has dropped to an all-time low.
3 years ago
VIDEO: Urgent new water restrictions as extreme drought worsens in the West
3 years ago

'Unprecedented' water restrictions ordered for millions in Southern California

Unprecedented restrictions have been ordered for millions of residents in Southern California as the megadroght in the region persists and continues to intensify.
3 years ago
An automated sprinkler waters grass in front of homes in Alhambra, Calif., April 27, 2022, a day after Southern California declared a water shortage emergency with unprecedented new restrictions on outdoor watering for millions of people living in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.
3 years ago

Millions of Californians under new water restriction

Outdoor watering is being limited to one day per week for some residents and businesses in Southern California.
3 years ago
Outdoor watering is being limited to one day per week for some residents and businesses in Southern California.
3 years ago

Farmers face tough choices amid California’s ongoing drought crisis

ABC News' Kayna Whitworth discusses the unrelenting California megadrought despite recent storms and how the bone-dry conditions may impact all Americans.
3 years ago
VIDEO: Farmers face tough choices amid California’s ongoing drought crisis
3 years ago

By the numbers: Western megadrought

A look at the western states experiencing a drought, with more than half of the region experiencing an “extreme drought” and daily average temperatures near all-time highs.
3 years ago
VIDEO: By the numbers: Western megadrought
4 years ago

At California's Folsom Lake, a stark image of state's drought disaster

"We cannot stick our heads in the sand," state official Wade Crowfoot said.
4 years ago
A person parks their vehicle on a newly revealed piece of land due to receding waters at the drought-stricken Folsom Lake in Granite Bay, Calif., May 22, 2021.
4 years ago

California drought has reservoirs at critically low levels

ABC News’ Zohreen Shah reports on climate change fueling dire drought conditions in California, drying up reservoirs critical to California residents.
4 years ago
VIDEO: California drought has reservoirs at critically low levels
4 years ago

‘Mega-drought’ covers 293,000 square miles of Southwest, experts say

Lake Mead, which provides water to 40 million people in seven states, is at just 37% capacity. Energy from Lake Mead’s Hoover Dam is being affected by the dwindling water supply.
4 years ago
VIDEO: ‘Mega-drought’ covers 293,000 square miles of Southwest, experts say
4 years ago

Drought emergency grows as California reservoirs go dry

California’s 1,500 reservoirs are 50% lower than they should be this time of year.
4 years ago
VIDEO: Drought emergency grows as California reservoirs go dry
4 years ago

California droughts continue to worsen as fire season approaches

The drought conditions in California are continuing to appear grim as multiple states in the West prepare for an extended fire season due to dryer-than-normal conditions.
4 years ago
Dry cracked earth is visible along the banks of Phoenix Lake on April 21, 2021, in Ross, Calif.
6 years ago

Strengthening Santa Ana winds add fuel to fires

ABC News senior meteorologist Rob Marciano reports from Malibu, California, on the latest conditions as the fires continue to burn.
6 years ago
VIDEO: Strengthening Santa Ana winds add fuel to fires
6 years ago

Trump wades into California water wars

President Donald Trump is wading into California's water wars by calling for the administration to move more quickly on projects intended to bring water to farmers.
6 years ago
President Donald Trump speaks with workers on "Cutting the Red Tape, Unleashing Economic Freedom" in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Oct. 17, 2018.
8 years ago

Before, after photos show California landscapes making a comeback from drought

Once dried-out fields have returned to their lush state after the rainy season.
8 years ago
Horses graze in a field on April 10, 2017, in Woodacre, Calif., after record rains and mountain snow restored the drought-stricken landscape.
8 years ago

California's wet weather has some believing the drought is over

The state has experienced record rain in recent weeks.
8 years ago
An American flag is posted on a fence in front of a dry unplanted field on Aug. 8, 2014 in Lodi, Calif.
8 years ago

VIDEO: Inside California's drought
8 years ago

VIDEO: California continues attempt to fix dam so residents can return home
8 years ago

Report: California Homeowner Dubbed 'Wet Prince of Bel Air' Used 11.8M Gallons of Water in 1 Year

That's enough water to flush a toilet nonstop for an entire year.
8 years ago
VIDEO: Los Angeles Homeowner Accused of Using 11.8M Gallons of Water Annually