Water managers say conservation needed in 2014

State water officials are warning that low water levels in reservoirs across the state should be a warning that conservation measures might be necessary to get through next year.

With little chance for record-rain conditions to develop in the Pacific this winter, the Fresno Bee reports that the state could be headed for trouble.

Mike Cowin of the state Department of Water Resources said a drought has not been declared, but water managers will face a challenge if 2014 is dry.

Pine Flat Reservoir in the Fresno County foothills is at 16 percent capacity and most of the state’s other large water-storing reservoirs are well below average. California is coming off one of the driest winters on record.

Most of the state’s water comes from the Sierra snowpack.