from phoenix, dave shatski, and from california, peter glick, the president and founder of the pacific institute, a group that promotes environmental sustainability. and mr. glick, there have always been droughts in the southwest. and how bad is this one, compared with the ones that you've seen in the past? what's different? >> that's right, we have wet years, we have dry years, and the climate is variable, especially in the western u.s. but without a doubt, the drought is unprecedented. we have had stream and pleasure measurement in the state of california. and by any measurement, really, this drought is deeper than we have seen in the last 150 years. basically deeper than we have seen in the modern history of california. we're in a big hole, and it doesn't look like its getting any better. >> dave, what does it mean for your members? is it yonder they can just and use water one way or another, are we already talking about a situation that's well beyond that? >> well, farmers are highly innovative and able to adapt to changing circumstances, and i think that goes with the occupation,

and peter glick let me start with you. there are and always have been periodic droughts in the u.s.west, how bad is this one compared to ones you have seen in the past? >> we have wet years. we have dry years. the climate is naturally variable, but without a doubt the current drought is in many ways unprecedented, we have had measurements in the state of california for other 150 years, and this drought is deeper than we have seen in the last 150 years, basically deeper than we have seen in the modern history of california, and we're in a big hole and [ technical difficulties ] >> well, farmers are highly innovative and able to adapt to changing circumstances. but as peter said, we're in a third dry year and this year is particularly dry. and we're coming to the point where there is no mitigation or alternative strategy to try to keep your crops alive. the only strategy would be to try to minimize losses. and hope for mother nature to turn the spigot back on. >> so just to be clear, unless rain falls out of the sky will are not hidden cashe's of water hidden is there? >> no, we have

. >> reporter: water expert peter glick says the signal from the feds today is that our state, especially agriculture, which uses 80% of california water, is in serious trouble. >> there's going to be a big drop in what we grow, where we grow it and what's available in our supermarkets. >> reporter: beef and dairy prices will likely rise as feed becomes scarce and expensive. fruit and vegetable prices could rise as shortages develop. farmers say the critical time will be in about six months. the summer and fall harvests could be the smallest in decades. in the meantime, they are asking everyone, pray for rain. john fowler, ktvu channel 2news. >>> dairy farmers and cattle ranchers say the drought is already taking its toll. pasture lands in the north bay should be a foot tall now, not a few inches as you see here. also, the cost of feed is high and getting higher. farmers gathered in sonoma county to discuss ways to help them get through the dry season. one idea isn't a new one. they want to truck recycled water from treatment plants and freshwater from nearby springs directly to their far

. >> reporter: peter glick says the signals is that our states especially agriculture which uses 80% of california water is in serious trouble. >> it's going to see a big drop in what we grow, where we grow it and what's available in our supermarkets. >> reporter: meat and dairy prices will suddenly rise. food and vegetable prices could rise as shortages develop. the critical time will be in about six months. the summer and fall harvest could be the smallest in decades in the meantime. they're asking everyone pray for rain. john fowler, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> and our coverage of the california drought continues on ktvu.com. scroll down to our hot topic section and you will find all sorts of information including the current levels of the state's major reservoirs. >>> pretty warm day today. we got a record high temperatures in the area. i'll show you those in a little bit. right now we have temperatures in the 40s. it's going to get in the upper 40s maybe a little fog inland. a warning tonight a lot like we had this morning. 30 in santa rosa. 45 in hayward. so as we move forward we'

. >> reporter: peter glick says the signals is that our states especially agriculture which uses 80% of california water is in serious trouble. >> it's going to see a big drop in what we grow, where we grow it and what's available in our supermarkets. >> reporter: meat and dairy prices will suddenly rise. food and vegetable prices could rise as shortages develop. the critical time will be in about six months. the summer and fall harvest could be the smallest in decades in the meantime. they're asking everyone pray for rain. john fowler, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> and our coverage of the california drought continues on ktvu.com. scroll down to our hot topic section and you will find all sorts of information including the current levels of the state's major reservoirs. >>> pretty warm day today. we got a record high temperatures in the area. i'll show you those in a little bit. right now we have temperatures in the 40s. it's going to get in the upper 40s maybe a little fog inland. a warning tonight a lot like we had this morning. 30 in santa rosa. 45 in hayward. so as we move forward we'

. >> reporter: water expert peter glick says the signal from the feds today is that our state, especially agriculture, which uses 80% of california water, is in serious trouble. >> we're going to see a big drop in what we grow, where we grow and it what's available in our supermarkets. >> reporter: beef and dairy prices will likely rise, as feed becomes scarce and expensive. fruit and vegetable prices could rise, as shortages develop. farmers say the critical time will be in about six months, as this summer and fall harvests are expected to be possibly the lowest in decades. in the meantime, everyone is praying for rain. reporting live in oakland, john fowler, ktvu channel 2news. >>> this week, extremely dry conditions are adding to what is already a dire drought situation. let's go to chief meteorologist bill martin with more. >> let's take a look at what is known as the eight station index. these eight stations through northern california represent rain gauges in the major drainage basins that feed the sacramento river. it's all very important. as you know, the sacramento river, that's