How is the drought affecting the Guerneville area? (Sacramento, Redding: 2014, to rent)

[Friendlier]

I currently live in New York state and the severity of the California drought is a big news story even here. Recently some expert even floated the idea of a migration out of California if things don't improve. I realize that is hyperbole at this point, but since I'm planning to look for a house in the Guerneville area, I thought I'd broach the subject here on city-data. Since the other seasons are wetter than the summer, has that precipitation helped lessen the effects of the drought during those months? (And has the summer itself been hotter and drier?) Thanks for any info.

[clongirl]

This might be helpful....United States Drought Monitor > Home > State Drought Monitor

Looks bad nearly everywhere.

[Ruth4Truth]

I can only imagine that a bit of drought would help Guerneville. A number of former residents have told me the town floods annually, so mold in the homes situated on low ground is a chronic problem. It sounds like less river water would be an improvement. Choose your location there carefully.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

The drought news is ridiculous. The worst problem due to the drought are the wildfires. Horrible.

But, we have water and always will, even if we have to buy it from somewhere else. So silly to talk about people moving away from the state. Goes to show the need for news.

You might not be able to water your lawn as often as you like, or will have to rip out the lawn for different landscaping. The cost of water may go up until there's relief.

But, you will not be dragging yourself down the road whispering "water....water.....water......" like in the old movies.

If we could build an aquaduct to take water from northern CA to southern CA, and a pipeline from AK to the lower 48 for oil, surely we will figure out a way to get water to CA if/when we need to.

Heck, they're still growing rice last I heard. That crop uses an enormous amount of water.

And I really think some farmers are ripping out their trees because the government will probably subsidize them for doing so. They were probably already subsidized anyway. They just like to make the issue about them digging up the trees, and avoid the issue of what the govt will subsidize them for next. They're probably getting money to rip up the trees, then they'll get money to plant some particular crop next. Scandalous.

The rice growers (very wealthy agribusiness people) are spinning their wanting to continue to flood their fields by saying that all the birds that love to hang out in the rice paddies will suffer. Uh, as in they'll go maybe to the other rivers and lakes? But, they're trying to hold onto their water by trying to make people think the birds will suffer. Puleez. And at least half of the crop is sold to Japan. Heck, they'll be next to get subsidized to grow something else.

I have a hunch that all this media hype across the nation is perpetuated by the big agribusiness companies, and all pointed at getting enough sympathy to convince the state and the feds that the farmers must get more subsidies to change they types of crops they grow. If rice growers can make as much or more growing something else, they will quit caring about the birds just like that.

Here in Redding, they just started rationing lawn watering. You can only water in the early morning hours, and depending on your address on certain days of the week.

But, the Sacramento River is flowing through town just like normal. In fact, it seems to be deeper all the time. So, there's still snow runoff happening for now, apparently.

[r.humboldt]

Water's always been difficult in the SouthWest and population and climate change have made it more pressing. Further, agriculture continues to need its water . Without a decrease in population (unlikely), or a decrease in agriculture (unlikely), it seems Geurneville would also be unlikely to escape these State-wide effects.

[Friendlier]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I can only imagine that a bit of drought would help Guerneville. A number of former residents have told me the town floods annually, so mold in the homes situated on low ground is a chronic problem. It sounds like less river water would be an improvement. Choose your location there carefully.

That's kind of what I'm thinking too. I want to rent somewhere in the area for the first year, while I decide where to buy. I think that year will most likely give me a good idea of how the drought affects other various areas in N. California that I'm interested in as well.

[clongirl]

I found a list of the areas that are most likely to flood. I only recall there being two or three real major incidences. Back in the 70's and 80's (but don't quote me on that!).

This might help a bit when trying to figure out where to avoid purchasing property--

Russian River Water & Flood Levels

[ambient]

How is the drought affecting Guerneville area?

It is making it really dry.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by ambient

How is the drought affecting Guerneville area?

It is making it really dry.

Do we know that, though, in the case of G-ville? The river hasn't dried up, so what, exactly, has changed? Did it flood less this year, or not at all? This would be helpful info for the OP.

[TheCityTheBridge]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

The drought news is ridiculous. The worst problem due to the drought are the wildfires. Horrible.

But, we have water and always will, even if we have to buy it from somewhere else. So silly to talk about people moving away from the state. Goes to show the need for news.

You might not be able to water your lawn as often as you like, or will have to rip out the lawn for different landscaping. The cost of water may go up until there's relief.

But, you will not be dragging yourself down the road whispering "water....water.....water......" like in the old movies.

If we could build an aquaduct to take water from northern CA to southern CA, and a pipeline from AK to the lower 48 for oil, surely we will figure out a way to get water to CA if/when we need to.

Heck, they're still growing rice last I heard. That crop uses an enormous amount of water.

And I really think some farmers are ripping out their trees because the government will probably subsidize them for doing so. They were probably already subsidized anyway. They just like to make the issue about them digging up the trees, and avoid the issue of what the govt will subsidize them for next. They're probably getting money to rip up the trees, then they'll get money to plant some particular crop next. Scandalous.

The rice growers (very wealthy agribusiness people) are spinning their wanting to continue to flood their fields by saying that all the birds that love to hang out in the rice paddies will suffer. Uh, as in they'll go maybe to the other rivers and lakes? But, they're trying to hold onto their water by trying to make people think the birds will suffer. Puleez. And at least half of the crop is sold to Japan. Heck, they'll be next to get subsidized to grow something else.

I have a hunch that all this media hype across the nation is perpetuated by the big agribusiness companies, and all pointed at getting enough sympathy to convince the state and the feds that the farmers must get more subsidies to change they types of crops they grow. If rice growers can make as much or more growing something else, they will quit caring about the birds just like that.

Here in Redding, they just started rationing lawn watering. You can only water in the early morning hours, and depending on your address on certain days of the week.

But, the Sacramento River is flowing through town just like normal. In fact, it seems to be deeper all the time. So, there's still snow runoff happening for now, apparently.

Gives new meaning to the saying: Water runs uphill to money.