State regulators Friday added to the growing list of water rights holders who have been told to stop drawing from rivers and streams as the drought shrivels summer flows.
The State Water Resources Control Board is curtailing 16 water rights held by senior diverters on the upper San Joaquin River and the Merced River.
The diverters include several irrigation districts, a ranch, a dairy and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The practical effect on the power company will be negligible since it can continue to use water for hydroelectric generation as long as the flows are returned to the river.