It occurs to me that this is just the kind of situation experienced permaculturists might have good suggestions for. I know Bill Mollison (who's one of the great lions of the permaculture movement) wrote a lot about various ways to mitigate extremely dry conditions. I myself don't remember enough of that to offer suggestions, as it's been years since I read that material. But I wanted to suggest you look in that direction for the next round of advice.
My heart hurts for the lands in drought, and having lived in California in the past for quite a few years, I find the situation out your way especially sad. I do pray for this pattern to shift! so that CA gets the good rain it needs.
