California Gov . Jerry Brown ordered state officials Wednesday to impose mandatory water restrictions for the first time in history . Brown said he signed an executive order requiring measures be implemented to cut water usage by 25 percent compared with 2013 levels . State water officials found no snow on the ground at the site for their manual survey of the snowpack . The governor also issued a statewide drought emergency, which will allow him and other local governments to use up to 50 million gallons per day from reservoirs that are already full or near capacity.
California Gov . Jerry Brown ordered state officials Wednesday to impose mandatory water restrictions for the first time in history . Brown said he signed an executive order requiring measures be implemented to cut water usage by 25 percent compared with 2013 levels . State water officials found no snow on the ground at the site for their manual survey of the snowpack . Snow supplies about a third of the state 's water . A higher snowpack translates to more water in California reservoirs to meet demand in summer and fall .