MODESTO-

The snowpack levels aren’t boding well for Modesto farmers who have said they rely on that water to irrigate their farms.

Wednesday was the first time Jake Wenger has turned on sprinkler system for his walnut orchard, and they’re not depending on any surface water because of the low snow pack levels.

For the next 18 hours, Wenger’s walnut orchard will get the water it needs. But in California’s 5th year of drought this feeding will come from well water and not the Sierra Nevada snowpack.

“When you look at how bad things are this year, if we don’t get snow and rain for next year, we’re in trouble,” Wenger, a farmer and a member of the Modesto Irrigation District Board of Directors, said.

Wenger claimed due to the low water levels statewide farmers and ranchers like himself are forced to gamble with their crops.

“Are you going to have enough water to plant full acreage, to be able to provide the feed that you need for your cows?” he asked rhetorically.

Central Valley farmers have had to fallow some of their land. Meaning they leave acres empty, dry, and unplanted. They’re dependent on well water to harvest crops, where years prior, rain and snow would water almonds, walnuts, and cow feed.

“That ground water table is only something you can tap for so long. We need that rain and snow to be able to fill those aquifers back up. ”

With the state claiming snowpack levels are at their lowest in 65 years; Wenger, farmers, and residents statewide are looking to the sky for hope.

“The pray for rain signs that are around our area, and that’s the best we can do because Mother Nature is in control of what’s going to happen this next winter,” Wegner said.

Wenger said he’ll continue to depend on well water to irrigate his farm and he should be turning on the water again in three weeks.