upstream dams in case the drought lingers and gets worse. >> failing to take this action could result in our reservoir's running out of water later in the year. >> reporter: the state which operates the reservoir will be telling farmers and water agencies mainly in the south central valley not to count on getting any water this year. and state afs shuls say they will soon order 5800 farms and businesses to stop all pumping out of rivers and streams. >> this decision, if it upholds, and even at the moment will cause a lot of concern and consternation. there are people who are hoping we would cross our fingers and wait a little bit longer. that's the judgment call. >> reporter: the state will also open the gates in walnut grove that channel freshwater from the sacramento river directly into the delta. even though doing so at this time of year may cause baby salmon heading for the ocean to become lost and die. environmentalists said such losses would hurt the salmon population but probably not wipe it out. >> what the state water