You are now in California and the U.S. category.

Dozens of water agencies in drought-weary California may only receive 20 percent of their requested deliveries in 2017, state officials said Monday. But the Department of Water Resources initial allocation forecast is twice more than that announced a year ago. Officials said winter storms in coming months may boost the first 2017 allocation, but point out California’s deep drought lingers. Initial allocations almost always change. The 10 percent allocation ultimately gave way to a 60 percent allocation for 2016. The rainy season has had a strong start with snow in the Sierra Nevada and rain in parched Southern California.

An impressive storm system drenched much of the Central San Joaquin Valley with rain over the weekend and dropped much-needed snow in the Sierra. Snow levels fell to around 3,500 feet in the foothills. “It was our first, real significant winter system,” National Weather Service meteorologist Jeff Barlow said. An overall .77 inches of rain was recorded at the Fresno Air Terminal by Sunday. In Madera County, half an inch of rain was recorded at the Madera Airport by Sunday.

The start of rainy season and its effects on the outdoors next year already are showing promise. The little-seen numbers from water agencies show there is a good chance of a great 2017 for camping at lakes and streams, as well as for boating, rafting, fishing and water sports.Over the weekend, I reviewed reports made by about 25 water districts to the state Department of Water Resources and federal Bureau of Reclamation. This is what I found:Northern California watersheds: Of 91 major recreation lakes, 68 are at or above 100 percent of normal for this date and another five are above 90 percent.