Estimates of soil water deficit during California drought, January 1, 2014

** September 16, 2014: Because this information has immediate and time-sensitive relevance to public health and welfare owing to the Governor of California\'s declared drought emergency, it is being released as preliminary information. As preliminary information, it had been reviewed and approved to meet the needs for timely best science, but the methodology is subject to refinement. The information is provided on the condition that neither the U.S. Geological Survey nor the U.S. Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information. Future updates may be available using this website. **