The 1976-1977 California Drought – A Review

This is the fifth and final Department of Water Resources’ report on the 1976-1977 California drought, the worst in the State’s history, which saw 1976, the fourth-driest year of record, give way to 1977, the driest ever.  These reports provide the most comprehensive documentation of a drought in history.

The 1976-1977 drought has again shown the finite nature of our resourcees and our limited ability to control nature.  This report, prepared by the Department’s Drought Information Center, updates the August 1977 report and places the entire two-year period in perspective.  It documents the impact of the drought and details the response by federal, State, and local governments and the public.

This report also discusses lessons learned from the drought and suggest future actions to enable us to better use our State’s limited water resources.