A California non-profit news site says it is time to take climate change seriously and to consider its impact in making water projections, particularly considering the state’s dwindling snowpack.

CalMatters.org writes that it is time for State water planners to revamp their planning calculations, citing skewed data from last year:

The state’s projections for how much water to expect from the Sierra Nevada were so far from reality last spring that reforming the process has become increasingly urgent.

The calculation for the Sacramento River region was off by 68%, leaving the state’s reservoirs with far less water supply than expected.

Key metrics are reported on CalMatters.org’s water and drought tracker. Among many other statistics, the tracker reports that, 63% of ranked groundwater wells in California are at historic lows. 978 households reported water shortages over the last 365 days.

The statistics are alarming.  The site offers advice on how Californians can get involved in protecting their local water supplies.  Their “Get Involved” link offers suggestions, resources, and tools.