The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows more than half of California; 58 percent is now in the D4 “Exceptional Drought” category.  That is a 22 percent increase from last week as the northern part of the state slipped into the worst category.  The Exceptional Drought area now stretches from Los Angeles through the Central Valley up to Redding in Northern California.

The Drought Monitor says; “California is short more than one year’s worth of reservoir water, or 11.6 million acre-feet, for this time of year.  California’s topsoil moisture (80% very short to short) and subsoil moisture (85%) reserves are nearly depleted.”  The latest Crop Progress Report from USDA shows pastures and rangeland are rated 70 percent poor to very poor condition.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says 55 adult salmon and an unusually high number of juvenile salmon were found dead along a 90-mile stretch of the Salmon River in Northern California’s Klamath Basin.  Low water flows and high temperatures are expected to kill more fish as there is no water available to improve conditions.

The State implemented stricter water use standards on Tuesday giving local authorities the ability to fine water-wasters up to $500 per day.