Drought - 2014 (San Diego, Imperial: home, transfer, live in)

[happyinca]

I think we need to focus on the drought. Here is an interesting article. Politics does play a huge part, like it or not.

Can Anybody Save California? - David Dayen - POLITICO Magazine

[jbunniii]

farming comprises 3 percent of the state’s economy but uses 80 percent of the water

Therein lies the problem. Perhaps it's time to identify the thirstiest crops (rice, etc.) and simply stop growing them in California.

[Bunjee]

Originally Posted by jbunniii

Therein lies the problem. Perhaps it's time to identify the thirstiest crops (rice, etc.) and simply stop growing them in California.

Almonds and cherries are thirsty too. Almonds are a huge cash crop, getting a pretty hefty market share. But if this drought is a long term trend they're not sustainable. As sensitive as I am to environmental issues, if natural drought conditions affect streams and habitats anyway then why would we allocate scarce resources to artificially recharge them? We'll have to retool policies to address current exigencies in a common sense manner.

[Wilson502]

Originally Posted by Bunjee

We'll have to retool policies to address current exigencies in a common sense manner.

Good luck getting "common sense" from the CA state government.

[happyinca]

Here is the Drought Monitor Map. It is updated every Thursday. As some of the articles have stated it would have to rain (or snow) every day from now thorough May to make a dent in this drought. It is that serious.

United States Drought Monitor > Home > State Drought Monitor

[happyinca]

Originally Posted by jbunniii

Therein lies the problem. Perhaps it's time to identify the thirstiest crops (rice, etc.) and simply stop growing them in California.

Something worth thinking about during times of drought. Water Districts can pay farmers to fallow the land. That has happened in Imperial County with the Water Transfer. Farmers were paid to not grow crops so the water could be sent to San Diego County. Imperial Irrigation Water Transfer.

Water Authority

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by jbunniii

Therein lies the problem. Perhaps it's time to identify the thirstiest crops (rice, etc.) and simply stop growing them in California.

Absolutely true. But not to be pedantic, but rice specifically grows only in flooding conditions, and in California is primarily only grown in the delta where its waterlogged even in drought years.

The most notorious of major crops that are waterhogs is probably cotton. Thing is, cotton loves hot and sunny climate, but ALSO needs lots of water.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by happyinca

Here is the Drought Monitor Map. It is updated every Thursday. As some of the articles have stated it would have to rain (or snow) every day from now thorough May to make a dent in this drought. It is that serious.

United States Drought Monitor > Home > State Drought Monitor

What does this even mean. If this were to occur, it would be well past the annual average, with flooding. I'm not suggesting that its not serious, but I wonder why people say this. There has even been localized flooding.

Heres a good article that summarized the recent rains in northern California, but as it says we're still behind.

Rain finally hits northern California, but drought far from over | Al Jazeera America

[happyinca]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

What does this even mean. If this were to occur, it would be well past the annual average, with flooding. I'm not suggesting that its not serious, but I wonder why people say this. There has even been localized flooding.

Heres a good article that summarized the recent rains in northern California, but as it says we're still behind.

Rain finally hits northern California, but drought far from over | Al Jazeera America

What they are referring to, and I am assuming since I am not the writer of the articles nor the one being quoted but it would take that level of rain or snow to bring the snow pack up to a "normal" level or the lakes up to a normal level. Here is an article from ACWA when the snow pack was it at the lowest level ever. The low snow pack is explained and low level in the lakes is mentioned.

DWR Snow Surveyors Measure Lowest Snowpack on Record | Association of California Water Agencies

Of course we know it is not going to rain or snow every day from now until May or every other day, but I believe when people make those type of statements they are trying to get people to wake up and realize there is a drought going on. Is it over the top, yes, but it got your attention.

I live in San Diego and we have had 80 degree "beach" weather for two months. I see people flashing the temps on Facebook and so excited about this great weather. Some people see great beach weather, I see fires and drought. Call me Debbie Downer. I work in water so I can't help but be aware of this and try to spread knowledge not hysteria. But some people need to be wacked in the head to pay attention. I am not referring to you specifically, but the masses in Southern CA that love 80 degree weather in January and February and are thrilled we have had zero rain.

[BeauCharles]

We're settling back into a dry pattern. No rain to speak of (well, possible showers on Tues/Weds) and by next weekend low 70s and the high pressure building back in. I know the drought won't be broken this year, I just hope there's enough late spring rain to get the forests and small municipalities that depend on reservoirs though the summer.