EQ3- california

Question 1

water scarcity physical

river systems+ groundwater

Answer 1

-surface water infiltrates via surface layer+ eventually perculates through rocks to become groundwater
-nearly 1/3 of calis freshwater comes from aquifers
-sacremento river flows south meets north flow san joaquin at san fransico bay
-they provide huge volumes of water for urban+agriculture

Question 1

water scarcity physical

precipiatation+ relief rainfall

Answer 1

-mainly arid: average rain= 200-500mm
-65% lost via evaporation+transpiration (13% flows to sea,22% runoff for human use)
-50% falls between november + bmarch-lead to seasonal shortages
-south n east of cali recieve under 100mm rain due to rain shadow effect of coastal ranges+ sierra nevida mountains

Question 2

water scarcity physical

st climate change: la nina

Answer 2

-brings drought
-high pressure air over pacfic blocks moist air currents from reaching south california

Question 3

water scarcity physical

lt climate change

Answer 3

-40 mill face increase problems due to recent variations in rainfall in cali from climate chnage
-2014- sierra nivada experince 3x normal no. of wild fires due to dry ground
-mega droughts: last 30yrs **
-50% chance of MD in. SW cali, 90% decade long drought
-drought 2000-2015 for arizona, navada, new mexico, oklahoma+ texas
-impacts**
= rise evaporation rates + fall of rain
=soil run off+ moisture levels fall
=reservoirs levels fallen
-oct 2016=water shortages 77% of average for 1st time of year
-snow pack levels in 2015 were record low due to high temps+lack of winter storms-provides 1/3 water

Question 4

water scarcity human

population change + spatial imbalance

Answer 4

-population grown from 2million 1990 to 10 mill 1950 to 37.7mill 2025
-3/4 demand for water comes from heavy populated areas to S of sacrmento, while 75% of rain falls north
-rise demand for water exceed calis natured supplies
-2/3 ppl living in most arid regions

Question 5

water scarcity human