California Flashcards
Water Crisis in California
there is a spatial imbalance. Three quarters of the population live south of Sacramento, yet three-quarter of the precipitation falls to the north.
Why is the water crisis increasing?
California has experienced drought since 2011. Irrigated crops use a lot of the freshwater supplies in the region. Rising temperatures, falling rainfall levels and a growing population are also contributing to the problem.
The State Water Project (SWP)
- 29 dams, 5 HEP projects and 970km of canals and pipelines.
- Supplies nearly half of California’s drinking water
Irrigates 300000 hectares of farmland
The Central Valley Project
- Originally intended for irrigation and control of flooding
- 22 dams and reservoirs provide HEP
Principal use is irrigation for 1.2 million hectares and drinking water for 2 million consumers
The Colorado River Water Scheme
- Supplies half of all southern California’s water via a system of dams and aqueducts.
- Irrigated 1.4 million hectares of farmland
- Supplies drinking water to major population centres such as Los Angeles and San Diego.
Supplies HEP and water beyond California to areas such as Nevada and Arizona, Glen Canyon Dam.
Challenges, conflicts and controversies
- 80% of California’s water is used for farming. However farmers are using more complex technology to determine when to irrigate.
- Environmentalists are concerned that wetlands have already been drained, natural habitats altered and river fish stocks depleted.
- Water rights are continually disputed. Native American tribes have longstanding legal rights. Ownership of the Colorado river has long been disputed by the US and Mexico.
- The spatial imbalance between distribution of precipitation and population was addressed by the State Water Project. However, northern Californians feared ownership
- In 2015, mandatory restrictions to cut demand by 25% were introduced. Water waste is discourage through higher rates were introduced. Water waste is discouraged through higher rates and fees.
