Understanding California’s Water Crisis
Interactive map of decline in snowpack, and how it affects the water supply in California.Drought, and the resulting shortage of melting snow, is driving the historic water shortages across much of the American West.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150406-california-drought-snowpack-map-water-science/
Things You Should Know About California’s Water CrisisDrought, and the resulting shortage of melting snow, is driving the historic water shortages across much of the American West.
By Dennis Dimick, National Geographic
PUBLISHED APRIL 06, 2015
<>
Here are five things you need to know about California’s water situation:
1. The state (and much of the West) relies heavily on snowpack each winter to resupply surface water streams and lakes. Because of a lack of winter storms and record high temperatures this past winter, snowpack in California is at an all-time low. This is the fourth consecutive year that the snowpack has been below normal. The state’s hydropower supply is also threatened when snowpack is scarce.
2. When surface water supplies are low, hidden water supplies beneath the surface in aquifers, or groundwater, are drilled to make up the shortfall. A large aquifer under the Central Valley is being rapidly depleted to make up for shortfalls in surface water supply. A 2011 study indicated that the Central Valley Aquifer is losing an amount of water each year equivalent to the nearly 29 million acre-feet of water found in Lake Mead, the nation’s largest surface reservoir on the Colorado River. (An acre-foot is one acre of ground covered one foot deep in water.)
California for the first time last year passed legislation regulating groundwater use, but those restrictions will not come into effect for years.
..MORE..
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150406-california-drought-snowpack-map-water-science/
`````````````
The California Drought: in pictures
A look at the drought in California through photography of the state's landmarks before and after the drought began. Duration: 0:43
http://on.msnbc.com/1yB8NYb
= new reply since forum marked as read
Though from what I understand, the question of where the brine ends up is crucial. From the article, "The only question we have for now is, what are they going to do with all that brine?' It's the same problem, to put it back into the ocean would be harmful. As you say, it's still in development. As in Saudi arabia, it's happening one way or the other. Lets just hope they do nothing but take water from the ocean, and not put our crap back in it. She is already under so much stress.
We aren't that water poor yet, and our grid needs the renewables more than our state needs water.
Now once we quit with the wasteful ag practices and fracking and lawns and start charging wasters and turn the proceeds into water savings incentives...
...and if then we still need water... Well, maybe some small solar projects are in order.
right now looking at how badly has AG been hit, and reading a fascinating paper from the NRDC on efficiencies. Also looking at Israeli agriculture...
Just the kind of shit that I come across every day (and I should file in this computer and not rely on memory). I had a brain fart this afternoon, about all the central valley stories from last year... and I went... what if they were not hit as badly is because they are a huge gorilla in the economy, but also they have been hit already. The governor said as much. I am finding evidence to support that.
Will finish that article in the morning... but that is the shit once does. I admit. living in a concrete jungle that did not occur to me. I might embargo this and wait to talk to my local farmers at the farmer's market. Why go to the farm, when they come to you? 
It would be a tad more local too.
Especially with smaller scale projects for proof of concept.
Here's one: http://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/18/tiny-solar-power-desalination-plant-solves-big-salt-problem/
So, maybe pilot a bunch of small scale projects and see how they work, but I caution against anything like Poseidon, I was there in December.
The pressure on Ag is because the water was artificial to so much of the state, like Kern county, and now they're sad that the government won't ship them more from the north.
Well, the north has been hurting for longer! But I know you know this.
So glad you're finding time to post here, Nadin!
...and it's often disturbing, is that some very much celebrated individuals on the left, in positions of power, continue to promote development and projects that really don't address long term challenges.
We have people at the CPUC and other agencies trying to help Gas and Oil interests rush to a hydrogen economy, when the science and economics of the thing don't support it.
And where I live, a well known person is in favor of a project in a community that has NO water to spare and where the roads can not support the added traffic from retail and housing units.
Lot's of favors done for the developer by the county board, and right out in the open.
Unbelievable.
Lifetime politician, background in urban design, marketing, etc.
I have to work with a lot of people with little more than perpetual insider positions, they all promote one another and little outside thought manages to get in.
You already know this.
I suppose some experience with a utility doesn't hurt, and SMUD is considerably more progressive than Edison.
And you're right. Bullshit artist, is what he is.
I hope not as bad as Peevey, the crook, appointed by idiot Grey Davis and reappointed by Ahnold.
Here's Picker:
Well, I'd better call it a night. Was up really early so I could make my presser this morning.
