The long term drought continued through August with little change. Without a snow pack for late spring/early summer, reservoirs across the area by the end of the month were continuing to drop well below normal levels. All major reservoirs across the state were less that 40% of capacity by the end of the month. Folsom Lake was down to 20% of capacity, approaching near-record low levels for August, seen last in 1977.
Extreme drought continued to be detected by the U.S. Drought Monitor across most the region, with exceptional drought for the northern San Joaquin Valley, the central and southern Sacramento Valley, the Burney Basin and the Sierra.
The continued dry weather and periods of hot temperatures left vegetation parched and ready to burn. Wildfire activity was well above normal levels.
Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency for the entire state of California January 17, 2014 and this continued to be in effect.
Local Emergency Proclamations have been issued for El Dorado, Glenn, Lake, Plumas, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sutter, Tuolumne, and Yuba counties. The cities of Live Oak Lodi, and Ripon continue in a drought emergency. Drought task forces have been established in Butte, Lake, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tuolumne, and Yolo counties to coordinate response to the drought.
Mandatory water reductions of 25 percent as ordered by Governor Brown continue to be in effect statewide, the first time such mandatory restrictions have been enacted. Actual usage across California dropped an average of 27 percent.
Agriculture has been heavily impacted, with numerous farm and farm related jobs lost. The UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences released a new report indicating that California���s ongoing drought will impact the state���s agricultural economy this year by an estimated $2.7 billion and eliminate more than 21,000 jobs. The state continued to supply food assistance to those impacted, along with California Disaster Assistance Act money for those who have lost drinking water due to dry wells. Approximately 743,642 boxes of food were distributed to 391,003 households in affected communities that suffered high levels of unemployment from the drought
Low runoff in streams and rivers on fish and ecological continues to cause adverse affects on forests and wildlife, including the endangered Delta Smelt and winter run Chinook Salmon.

Drought in Mountains Southwest Shasta County to Northern Lake County, CALIFORNIA
From 01-AUG-15 00:00:00 to 01-AUG-15 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Newspaper

The drought continues to impact Lake County, with a reduced number of vines and irrigation through the summer, reducing their harvest potential. Agriculture and related businesses have continued to lose jobs.

Drought in Clear Lake/Southern Lake County, CALIFORNIA
From 01-AUG-15 00:00:00 to 01-AUG-15 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Newspaper

The drought continues to impact Lake County, with a reduced number of vines and irrigation through the summer, reducing their harvest potential. Agriculture and related businesses have continued to lose jobs. Wildfires were enhanced, such as the Jerusalem Fire.

Drought in West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, CALIFORNIA
From 01-AUG-15 00:00:00 to 01-AUG-15 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Newspaper

Dry conditions from the long term drought caused millions of trees to die. This also enhanced wildfires in the northern Sierra.

Drought in Mt Shasta/Western Plumas County, CALIFORNIA
From 01-AUG-15 00:00:00 to 01-AUG-15 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Newspaper

Dry conditions from the long term drought caused many trees to die. This also enhanced wildfires in the mountains.

Drought in Northern Sacramento Valley, CALIFORNIA
From 01-AUG-15 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-15 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Newspaper

Agriculture continued to be impacted in August bringing a significant loss of jobs. Tree mortality across the Valley increased, including even normally drought resistant oak trees. Golf courses faced pressure to use less water and were doing so, bringing a dry, brown appearance to the turf, and some remained shut down due to a lack of water. Many people reduced landscape watering at homes or removed grass lawns. Grass fires enhanced by the dry conditions were common.

Drought in Central Sacramento Valley, CALIFORNIA
From 01-AUG-15 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-15 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Newspaper

Agriculture continued to be impacted in August bringing a significant loss of jobs. Tree mortality across the Valley increased, including even normally drought resistant oak trees. Golf courses faced pressure to use less water and were doing so, bringing a dry, brown appearance to the turf, some remained shut down due to a lack of water. Many people reduced landscape watering at homes or removed grass lawns.

Drought in Southern Sacramento Valley, CALIFORNIA
From 01-AUG-15 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-15 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Reported by: Newspaper

Agriculture continued to be impacted in August bringing a significant loss of jobs. Tree mortality across the Valley increased, including even normally drought resistant oak trees. Golf courses faced pressure to use less water and were doing so, bringing a dry, brown appearance to the turf, some remained shut down due to a lack of water. Many people reduced landscape watering at homes or removed grass lawns. Grass fires enhanced by the dry conditions were common.

Drought in Carquinez Strait and Delta, CALIFORNIA
From 01-AUG-15 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-15 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The drought continues to impact agriculture in the Delta. Wildlife such as the endangered Delta smelt and winter run Chinook Salmon are suffering losses due to changes from the drought, such as an increase in water temperature and salinity levels. Wildfires were enhanced, such as the Jerusalem Fire.