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TID: rain needed
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It has been a slow start to the Northern California rainy season. The low rainfall totals have Turlock Irrigation District officials mildly worried.

In November, 1.28 inches of rain fell, compared to the average of 4.25 inches. In December there has been just a trace of rain, compared to an average of 5.96 inches. So far this season the total watershed precipitation is 4.57 inches which is half of normal.

"We are concerned because we are having such a poor start to the rainy season," said TID Division 4 Director Rob Santos. "Fortunately, TID is in a good position because our reservoirs are pretty full. A below average rainfall this year probably won't hurt us next year but the year after it would."

TID Public Information Specialist Herb Smart explained that in the past there have been years that the rainy season started out slowly and ended up above average.

"We are hopeful this is just a trend and once the year plays out there will be sufficient rainfall. We are paying attention to the totals but we are not overly concerned at this point. The real worry starts when you start coupling two or more years of dry weather," he said.