Drought affecting California State Parks including D.L. Bliss in Lake Tahoe

A lack of water in California has prompted water restrictions to be imposed at California State Parks including Lake Tahoe's D.L. Bliss.

Due to the drought conditions showers, flushing toilets, and trailer dump stations will not be available at the park and chemical toilets have been put in their place.

According to the park's website, drinking water will continue to be available at the spigots throughout the campground but there will be no showers.

Bliss depends on a spring to feed the campground and it has dropped considerably since before the 4th of July. Water restrictions started at that time.

Joining the Lake Tahoe park on the list with water closures is the Hearst Castle Visitor Center, Hearst San Simeon State Park and Portola Redwoods State Park.

The water that is still being fed from the spring is being reserved for potable water at individual campsites and for firefighting, California Department of Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Vicky Waters told The Associated Press on Friday.

Some of the closures, such as at D.L. Bliss, are coming at the height of camping season. She said campers who have reservations are being notified through automated phone calls and will be allowed to cancel without penalty.

"We're really trying to minimize the impact to our visitors because we know how important it is ... but we're in this situation across the state," Waters said. She said some campers are upset but understood the situation.

If water supplies continue to drop the campsites will consider trucking in water.