California’s Drought Is Technically Over, For Now

As a whole, California experienced increased levels of rainfall in 2016, thereby ending the worst drought the state had seen in 1,200 years. But, some issues remain—and always will remain.

Business Insider reports that most of California is no longer in a drought when it comes to surface water (such as rivers and lakes), but many of the state’s groundwater aquifers, particularly those in the Central Valley, are still depleted.

Jay Lund, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California-Davis, told the site that the state’s forests and fish population still need a few years to adapt to new ecosystems.

So long as rain keeps coming, aquifers will continue to be replenished, speeding up the recovery process throughout the state. But most importantly, says Lund, is to keep in mind that California is a dry state. "Some speak of drought as permanent for California," says Lund. "But it is better to think of California being a dry place with permanent water shortages."

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