#PacificWatch: Severe drought warning; water rationing begins, Russian River to Santa Clara County. @JCBliss

Photo:  Russian River, California.

#PacificWatch: Severe drought warning; water rationing begins, Russian River to Santa Clara County. @JCBliss

California drought enters dangerous territory. What’s ahead for fish, farms and cities -- In just a few weeks, California’s water conditions have gone from bad to terrible. Sacramento residents have been asked to cut water usage 10%. Their counterparts on the Russian River are being told to reduce their consumption 20%. Sacramento Bee 

Mandatory restrictions coming to Santa Clara County as feds cut water supply -- In the latest and possibly most severe evidence yet of California’s worsening drought, the federal government on Wednesday announced it will cut water deliveries to urban areas it serves by more than half — and to zero for many farmers across the Central Valley.  San Jose Mercury

State orders sweeping water restrictions for towns, vineyards along Russian River -- Several communities and hundreds of vineyards in California’s Wine Country are being cut off from their water supply because there’s not enough water to go around. San Francisco Chronicle

State orders halt to hundreds of Russian River diversions in Sonoma, Mendocino counties as drought imperils supplies -- The crackdown affects grape growers and other farm producers, as well as rural residents and several communities along the upper river — from Healdburg north to Ukiah — where groundwater and other rights are likely to be used more heavily in the coming months to keep crops alive and taps flowing. Santa Rosa Press Democrat