Nation Despite California nearing drought, reservoir near San Jose ordered to be drained. Here’s why. February 25, 2020February 26, 2020Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAYComments Off on Despite California nearing drought, reservoir near San Jose ordered to be drained. Here’s why. Federal regulators have mandated that a water reservoir in Silicon Valley be drained because its dam may fail in an earthquake; local officials balk.