Valley farmers thankful for rain, but hope for more

FRESNO COUNTY (KFSN) -- The rain on the Valley floor is a big benefit for local growers who are desperate for any water they can get.

But even with the heavy downpours, we are not any where close to being out of the severe drought.

Growers admit it's wishful thinking, but they are hoping for a good storm, like we just had, each week this rain season. But for now, crops like citrus are already seeing a big benefit from the rain.

Saturday there was a slight break in the clouds and a break from the rain. But growers like Keith Nilmeier hope it doesn't last too long. "If we can continue to have storms like we've had, to get one a week where we can pull an inch and a half a week for the next 8-10 weeks, man that would just be a great thing."

Lighter colored leaves on the orange trees mean the crop is still growing. Warmer temperatures are keeping it from going dormant like it usually does in December. And our drought has cause a smaller fruit this season. But with this week's rainfall Nilmeier says he'll be able to harvest an unexpected improved crop. "That will help us increase the size of our fruit so that's a good thing for us."

Grape vines are currently going dormant, and the Fresno County Farm Bureau says the rain is definitely helping this crop in the long run. "It's promising. We're hoping that it's just the first of many storms to come for the season," said Ryan Jacobson, Fresno County Farm Bureau.

Jacobson thinks we need a good soaking from another 7-12 storms this year to get us on track, or at least close to it. "We have a big deficit to make up. But we're hoping right now to get back to average or above average just to try to make a little bit of ground up."

The storms coming in the next few days will benefit the Valley -- and the all important snow pack -- most farmers' primary source for water in spring and summer.

As for the negatives from the recent rain, growers say there aren't many. A few inconveniences, like holding off on citrus harvesting for a few days while the fruit dries. But given our conditions over the past few years, any storm is welcome.

"I don't think there's a single farmer out there that's going to complain about these storms, because this is what we've been asking about for so long now," said Jacobson.

"We'll take it all. The pounding rain is alright. But like yesterday, during the day, was the best because it just rained slowly all day long and it just soaked in," said Nilmeier.

The soaked up rain will help the rapidly dropping underground water table. Nilmeier's primary concern is a false notion that because the rainy season is starting strong, people will think we are out of the drought. "It's going to take a couple years to get us out of a full drought. But it will help us for this immediate year."

Growers still say more water storage is absolutely necessary across the state to sustain them long-term.