HollisterFreelance.com | Recent rain helps, but there's a long way to go

Recent rain helps, but there's a long way to go

Feb 17, 2009
By Colin McConville





		This car along San Benito Street was partly submerged in rising water during a downpour this afternoon in Hollister.
		Photo by: Nick Lovejoy, Staff Photographer








		A worker in San Juan Bautista clears the gutters along the street Tuesday afternoon in between showers.
		Photo by: Nick Lovejoy, Staff Photographer

HOLLISTER

Even with the heavy amount of rainfall of late, it won't completely resolve an array of water issues for locals, area water officials told the Free Lance.

San Benito County Water District Board Member Frank Bettencourt said the rainfall is helpful but that other issues with water sources remain a major problem. Farmers and ranchers in particular have dealt with several challenges compounding drought conditions over the past couple of years - such as environmental concerns over the Delta smelt and the discovery of invasive zebra mussels at the San Justo Reservoir.

"(The rain) would help, but we also have short memories," Bettencourt said. "Just because it's raining doesn't mean it's going to fill the reservoirs."

Bettencourt said the area snowpack is crucial toward filling many of the low-level reservoirs in the area. But the current rain should help fill smaller reservoirs such as the Hernandez Dam.

Sunnyslope Water District Board Member Stephen Hailstone said 2.5 feet of snow recently fell in Northern California that will "help with the rivers and reservoirs." He added that even with the rain and snowfall in other parts of the state, though, the drought is not over.

"It takes a number of years to reach down to the aquifers. You don't get it over one year."

Hailstone did note that farmers of winter crops will benefit from the relatively higher rainfall as of late, as well as those in need of growing grass. "All these things are very positive," Hailstone said.

Bettencourt shared similar thoughts regarding the recent rainfall - that any amount helps but the state still has major water concerns.

Hailstone said everyone needs to be aware of two major issues regarding water. The first is conservation so that locals do not make this a bigger problem than it already has become. The second is listening to what the regional water quality control board has to say about capacity.

Look back to the Free Lance later for an up-to-date precipitation total in Hollister.

Colin McConville
Colin McConville is a reporter with the Hollister Free Lance. You can reach him by email or at (831) 637-5566.