California Water Regulators Searching For Culprit Behind Missing Delta Water

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — State regulators suspect a massive amount of water has disappeared from the California Delta as a result of illegal diversions during the drought.

She may not have an imposing appearance, but Kathy Mrowka is California's top water cop. She's now diving into her biggest missing water case.

State and federal agencies sent a letter asking for the investigation, claiming water has been diverted from other sources.

One thousand Delta farmers sent in their water numbers, showing how much water they are diverting. That's all but 3 percent of those required to do so.

Farmers on the Delta do have rights to divert some water based on century-old family land contracts. But the statewide emergency drought orders are suddenly placing new scrutiny on exactly how much water is now being pumped out.

"How much water, what water; its a hard decision for farmers to make when they go and turn on that switch for that pump," she said.