Just how bad is the drought in California ? It 's so bad , that in some extreme cases , thieves are stealing water . A father and daughter living off a water tank in the Central Valley report being ripped off eight times -- 2,500 gallons disappeared . That meant no showers -- and no toilet flushing . The lack of rain has pushed most of California into extreme or exceptional drought , the two worst levels , according to the U.S. Drought Monitor . In most of California 's major reservoirs , the water supplies that sustain many communities are less than half full . With water sources drying up , farmers are looking for underground springs to support their livelihoods . Steve Arthur works in California 's San Joaquin Valley , drilling for water wells on drought-ravaged farms and ranches . `` It 's just going crazy ; people are starting to panic , '' said Arthur , the owner of Arthur & Orum Well Drilling Inc. Arthur said he is now drilling three times as many water wells . `` You go to the city , and some people do n't know there 's a drought , '' he told CNN . `` Then they pay more for their milk , and they realize this drought is making it more expensive for these poor farmers to put food on your table . '' It 's a problem that extends well beyond agriculturally rich California . The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts some meat and produce prices will rise as much as 6 % as farmers pay more money to water crops and feed livestock . Earlier this year , beef prices hit a record high , and milk , butter , eggs , fruit and vegetables were also on the rise as the drought continued to ravage farms . Avocados could increase as much as 35 cents each , lettuce could increase up to 62 cents per head , and tomatoes could jump by 45 cents , up to $ 2.84 per pound , according to an analysis by professor Timothy Richards of Arizona State University 's W.P . Carey School of Business . The fast-food chains Chipotle and In-N-Out Burger have already raised prices , partly blaming the drought . Graphic : Breakfast takes a big bite out of your wallet . Mandatory and voluntary water conservation programs have been implemented throughout the West . Some cities have restricted residential water use , shut off public fountains and even let the grass in parks die . In mid-July , California officials approved statewide emergency water restrictions . The restrictions go into effect Friday , and infractions could bring fines of $ 500 per day . In California and beyond , shrinking lakes show just how bad things are . It 's an inverse ripple effect -- the fresh water keeps draining , sucking down with it tourism business . Kern River Outfitters shut down its entire rafting operation this year because attempting to paddle downstream would have been a dangerous , futile effort over exposed Kern River rocks . `` The California drought has reduced projected Kern River flows to a level that is inadequate to run the top-quality rafting trips our guests expect , '' the company 's website says . At many lakes , now landlocked boat docks are upward hikes from the water . Campers Ed and Barbie Perkins sat in lawn chairs just 3 feet from the shore of California 's Lake Nacimiento , which has receded to 81 % of its capacity . `` Normally we 'd be way under water , '' Barbie Perkins said from their campsite . `` You would be able to drive your boat here . You would not be camping down here . '' In Nevada , Lake Mead is at its lowest level since the dam was built in the 1930s . The lake supplies water to parts of Nevada , Arizona , Southern California and northern Mexico , and the supply is disappearing . `` I think it 's important for people to realize water is a finite resource , '' said Rose Davis , a spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation , Lower Colorado Region . `` When you turn on the tap , it does not just magically appear . It has to come from the Colorado River . '' In Santa Barbara , California , a program to reduce or stop watering in public parks has turned once pool-table green swatches of lawn along the waterfront into patches that look more like burlap . At Hearst Castle in San Simeon , the iconic Neptune Pool sits empty . Sparkling blue water has given way to a skateboarders ' dreamland and a reminder of horrific drought .
California drought having ramifications beyond the state . Comment: Mandatory and voluntary conservation water programs being implemented in West . Tourism businesses also are taking a hit .