“ALL VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING WATER FOR CONSUMPTION DURING THEIR VISIT,” reads a message placed by Mount Diablo State Park on its website, sending another indication of drought in a recently severe drought-hit state.
The East Bay Park, famous for its spring wildflowers and hiker-magnet hills, was not spared on the water shortages suffered across the state.
“The springs on the mountain have been reduced to a trickle and the water storage tanks are close to empty,” according to the Mount Diablo website.
The park took action by taking a set of “drastic measures” to save water. It has already closed different water faucets along with flush toilet bathrooms.
Also included in the shutdown were the water faucets located in the Rock City’s picnic areas, as well as showers and flush toilets at junction, Juniper, and Live Oak campgrounds.
In Rock City and in the campgrounds, portable toilets and hand-washing areas were established. Pit toilets are meanwhile available across the park.
The website also said that potable water can be accessed at the Junction Ranger Station while water and flush toilets can be used at Macedo Ranch and Mitchell Canyon.
“If you are planning a long hike, run, walk, bicycle ride or horseback ride please bring plenty of water to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit,” according to the website.
Mount Diable was not able to pick up SFGATE’s phone call to clarify the remaining water at the park.
The park, according to a report by CBS Local, gathers water from the rain, which is serving as a source of most of its water. The rainwater is collected in underground springs but these springs dry out if rain is scarce, SFGATE reported.
Mount Diablo has also suffered from dry faucets and toilets in 2014 when drought hit the state. During that time, faucets and flush toilets were also closed.
