Drought, as applied to agriculture practices in the US State of California, must be evaluated on a different basis than in other parts of the country.

Typically there are extended periods every Summer with little or no precipitation.  This is the normal and expected condition.  So, a deficiency of the precipitation becomes significant in the State when the normal Winter Water supply fails to materialize.  Winter range is also very important in the livestock industry.  An abnormally dry Winter can be disastrous to the raising of cattle. Approximately 90% of California’s Water supply is used for Agriculture.