Next Year Californians May Have to Drink Their Own Pee

[planosteve]

Given the historic low temperatures and snowfalls that pummeled the eastern U.S. this winter, it might be easy to overlook how devastating California's winter was as well..

As our “wet” season draws to a close, it is clear that the paltry rain and snowfall have done almost nothing to alleviate epic drought conditions. January was the driest in California since record-keeping began in 1895. Groundwater and snowpack levels are at all-time lows. We're not just up a creek without a paddle in California, we're losing the creek too.

Data from NASA satellites show that the total amount of water stored in the Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins — that is, all of the snow, river and reservoir water, water in soils and groundwater combined — was 34 million acre-feet below normal in 2014. That loss is nearly 1.5 times the capacity of Lake Mead, America's largest reservoir.

Statewide, we've been dropping more than 12 million acre-feet of total water yearly since 2011. Roughly two-thirds of these losses are attributable to groundwater pumping for agricultural irrigation in the Central Valley. Farmers have little choice but to pump more groundwater during droughts, especially when their surface water allocations have been slashed 80% to 100%. But these pumping rates are excessive and unsustainable. Wells are running dry. In some areas of the Central Valley, the land is sinking by one foot or more per year.

As difficult as it may be to face, the simple fact is that California is running out of water — and the problem started before our current drought. NASA data reveal that total water storage in California has been in steady decline since at least 2002, when satellite-based monitoring began, although groundwater depletion has been going on since the early 20th century.

Right now the state has only about one year of water supply left in its reservoirs, and our strategic backup supply, groundwater, is rapidly disappearing. California has no contingency plan for a persistent drought like this one (let alone a 20-plus-year mega-drought), except, apparently, staying in emergency mode and praying for rain.

In short, we have no paddle to navigate this crisis.

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-famiglietti-drought-california-20150313-story.html

[millergrovesue]

Drought - yet another thing over which we have no control. They have my sympathy. It's rough on everyone but especially farmers and livestock owners.

2011 was the worst year I remember experiencing here. If I never see another year like it I'll be just fine.

[planosteve]

No wonder Toyota is moving to Plano. But, we're dry too! Actually, we may be in better shape than last year. It's still too early to tell.

[ralph]

have to make sure to take lottsa leaks in kali the next time I get there !! I'll bring my own bottled water and beer though so I don't have to pay kali taxes !! ---

[GFB]

Just all stupidness.

Like everywhere..there has to be an ongoing crisis that will kill us all.

A big nothing.

[millergrovesue]

Just all stupidness.

Like everywhere..there has to be an ongoing crisis that will kill us all.

A big nothing.

Bet it's not a big nothing to the farmers and ranchers. I remember paying more than $100 for a tiny roll of hay and being glad I found it.

But you are certainly right about the constant need for crisis. I do wonder if the media is as slimy in other countries as it is in ours. I'm betting yes.

[planosteve]

Windmill.png (75.83 KiB) Viewed 731 times

Not to worry. I'm sure Moonbeam will think of something. He's a progressive
How about high speed rail?
No wait. I know! Windmills.

[GFB]

I've been in the L.A. area for 34 years.

..not today..I'm in Eastern Europe.

But they never stop yapping about water in California.

[planosteve]

I've been in the L.A. area for 34 years.

..not today..I'm in Eastern Europe.

But they never stop yapping about water in California.

They may stop next year, there won't be any.
Hey, check on the Ukraine while your there would ya? They've been awful quiet lately.

[millergrovesue]

.But they never stop yapping about water in California.

Yeah, either too much or too little is about all we ever hear.

[planosteve]

I was living in the Bay Area in the late 70's when there was a 2 year drought. We couldn't water the grass or wash the car with a hose. I used to syphon the water out of the washer and run it on the bushes to keep them alive. I learned to wash the car with a bucket of water.

[GFB]

I've been in the L.A. area for 34 years.

..not today..I'm in Eastern Europe.

But they never stop yapping about water in California.

They may stop next year, there won't be any.
Hey, check on the Ukraine while your there would ya? They've been awful quiet lately.

..right next door.

[LibraryLady]

My California connections say they have to cut back 20% of water usage.
One says, no problem---Her son is leaving for college.

They have been on serious restriction for awhile...

My sister in WF can't water outside etc. etc.
She had to give up her vegetable garden, not to mention any flowers in the flower beds.

And, we all know that WF put in a water recycling/reharvesting operation last year - yep, drinking that water from the sewer.

California's drought will affect all the vegetables sold in the grocery stores, so we will all pay more for any produce.
Sad for the farmers in California.

[planosteve]

I will say I prefer the way CA rations water to TX. CA limits how much water you can use. But, they let you decide how and when to use it. TX limits when you can water outdoors with a sprinkler system. If you happen to miss your watering day you have to go a month with no water in the middle of the summer. And there is no incentive to limit the water you use indoors.

[GFB]

My California connections say they have to cut back 20% of water usage.
One says, no problem---Her son is leaving for college.

They have been on serious restriction for awhile...

My sister in WF can't water outside etc. etc.
She had to give up her vegetable garden, not to mention any flowers in the flower beds.

And, we all know that WF put in a water recycling/reharvesting operation last year - yep, drinking that water from the sewer.

California's drought will affect all the vegetables sold in the grocery stores, so we will all pay more for any produce.
Sad for the farmers in California.

I don't now what WF is, but there is no place in California that you are restricted from watering outside.

People in Burbank have been ASKED to cut back, but that is the extent of the water policing.

[GFB]

Everyone one In my neighborhood that wants them..has vegetables and flowers..and besides having lots of flowers, fruit trees, and many, many trees and bushes..my grass is still green like a golf course.

Admittedly, that is from watering the grass more than the city says I should..but too bad for them.

[ralph]

that's the way Greg , I like your attitude , he11 , you could be a redneck !!

[millergrovesue]

I don't now what WF is, but there is no place in California that you are restricted from watering outside.

People in Burbank have been ASKED to cut back, but that is the extent of the water policing.

Really? Golly, California governmental entities apparently have their heads up and locked.

[GFB]

I don't now what WF is, but there is no place in California that you are restricted from watering outside.

People in Burbank have been ASKED to cut back, but that is the extent of the water policing.

Really? Golly, California governmental entities apparently have their heads up and locked.

Let me tell you how deeply I had to think to outsmart the all knowing City Council..and the potential busy bodies that like to walk, run, ride bikes, and skate board down my street.

I switched the automatic sprinklers to go off from daytime hours to 2 am..every night.

It was a toughie.

[GFB]

You'll see me on the nightly news long before I agree to allow my lawn to turn brown.