Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A federal agency says it will not release water for most California Central Valley farms this year, forcing farmers to continue to scramble for other sources or leave fields unplanted.
It will be the second year of no federal water for farmers in the region that grows much of the nation's produce, although some farms hold senior water rights and are exempt from complete cuts.
Many farmers had been bracing for the news as California's drought enters its fourth year.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation mid-Pacific regional director David Murillo says federal officials are doing everything possible to increase water deliveries during the dire dry conditions.
California's Central Valley Project conveys water through a system of dams and reservoirs and 500 miles of canals.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.