The Water Resources Control Board approved an emergency resolution that lets regulators stop water diversions from the state's two largest river systems. The rule won't take effect for another two weeks and it includes exceptions for some uses, including water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, sanitation and generating electricity, among other things.

The vote came one day after regulators halted water diversions from another Northern California river system, the Upper Russian River, warning Lake Mendocino would be empty by the end of the year, "putting both people and wildlife in harm's way."

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