THE 1976–1977 DROUGHT IS OVER! — DEREK ADAMS ON THE SPILLWAY
OF THE NICASIO RESERVOIR DAM • JANUARY 16, 1978
During the 1976-1977 drought, Marin County was bone dry. For three years, precipitation dropped to almost half of normal. The Nicasio Reservoir dried up and people rescued pond turtles. Water rationing was mandatory and there were heavy fines for noncompliance. No one watered their lawns or gardens, showers were severely limited and ranchers and farmers had to purchase water. But the winter of 1977-1978 finally brought 67 inches of rain,
and the turtles were returned to the reservoir. Within days after this photograph was made, water finally careened down the spillway—as it did last week.