California relies on a network of water storage and delivery systems to maintain supplies year-round. Precipitation and snowfall varies greatly by location, season, and year to year, with most occurring in northern California, while demand for water is primarily along the coast and valleys south of Sacramento. Most precipitation occurs October-April, but demand is highest in summer. (3)
Two projects in the California water system are the State Water Project (SWP) run by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), and the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) run by the US Bureau of Reclamation. These projects store and transport water from northern California to the San Joaquin Valley, San Francisco, and southern California. (3)
SWP and CVP deliveries were significantly reduced in 2014 due to limited supplies, and water users had to tap reserves or groundwater to meet needs (2). California lost 17,000+ seasonal and part-time jobs in the agricultural sector as about 5% of irrigated cropland idled, resulting in an economic loss of about $2.2 billion (5). Wildfires increased statewide, with CALFIRE responding to 5,373 wildfires, well above the average of 4,399 (2).
As California heads into the fourth year of the worst drought on record, all twelve state reservoirs are below historical averages, and only one is above 50% capacity as of January 5, 2015 (2 & 4). 2014 was among the driest years on record. As of January 6, 2015, even after receiving rainfall, 77% of CA is in extreme drought or worse, and 32% of California is in exceptional drought, the most severe category (9). Just one year ago, the percentages were 27% and 0% respectively. Forecasts show that these conditions will continue in 2015.
Over 250 communities adopted mandatory conservation measures in 2014. Governor Gerry Brown has issued executive orders and a state of emergency to encourage conservation and expedite various processes related to reducing the impact of the drought. In November 2014, voters approved Proposition 1, authorizing over $7 billion in bonds for water supply infrastructure projects, ecosystem and watershed protection, and drinking water protection (8).
Sources
- Association of California Water Agencies: “2015 Drought Watch“
- Association of California Water Agencies: “2014 Drought – Multiple Dry Years Bring Challenges, Unprecendented Actions” (Nov 2014)
- Association of California Water Agencies: “Water Information“
- California Department of Water Resources
- Center for Watershed Sciences, University of CA, DAvis: “Economic Analysis of the 2014 Drought for California Agriculture“
- Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.: “Governor Brown Declares Drought State of Emergency” (Jan 17, 2014)
- Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.: “Governor Brown Issues Executive Order to Redouble State Drought Actions” (Apr 25, 2014)
- Voter Guide: “Prop 1 – Water Bond. Funding for Water Quality, Supply, Treatment, and Storage Projects.“
- U.S. Drought Monitor
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