Meteorologists, climate researchers, and state water authorities met in San Diego on 11/3 to discuss long-range water supply forecasting for the coming year. November, normally the first month in Southern California’s rainy season, is said to be one of the key indicators of water supply for the coming season. Weather experts said that even average rainfall for the season would not make up for the past three years of drought.
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The California Legislature took one more step toward restoring the reliability of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta-a system of levies and fresh waterways providing State Water Project drinking water to two-thirds of the state, including parts of Santa Barbara County-by approving a $9.9 billion bond on 11/2 to finance upgrade projects. Improvements would include new dams and levee repairs, and would significantly increase the state’s debt load.