Severe winter storms have damaged the Main Tuolumne Canal, the primary water source for 95% of Tuolumne County, California, leaving tens of thousands of residents at risk of shortages. Pacific Gas and Electric Company was forced to shut down the canal Feb. 17 after more than 200 trees collapsed onto the 14-mile system, destroying multiple wooden flumes. With the main supply cut off, the Tuolumne Utilities District is currently relying on limited storage tanks, small groundwater wells and snowmelt to maintain service.Local leaders declared a state of emergency and urged the county's 50,000 residents to restrict nonessential water use to
