Misa/ What Has Severe Drought Brought to California

Reference from: California Cuts Water to Some Farms and Cities
posted by Brian Clark Howard on May 29, 2014

California has facing a serious water supply problem. Severe drought for few years put California in a serious situation; as a result, the state has decided to limit the use for users of the Sacramento River. The restrictions involves ones who are engaged in agriculture. George Kostyrko, a representative of the state’s water broad, claims how the problem works. The water supply from the Sacramento River watershed does not provide to registered water users with enough water. The river is enormously important for them.

Since Wednesday evening, issuing warming to 2,648 keepers of “junior water rights”; many farmers and land owners and even water authorities must quit consuming water from the river. While they will definitely suffer from the insufficient water supply, ones who has “senior water rights” living in lager cities are not affected by the new restrictions. Peter Gleick, an expert of water issues at the Pacific Institute in Oakland, California, points out the difference between water supply and the amount of water allocated to citizens. Various type of restrictions were taken place when the most serious drought from 1976 to 1977 was happening. In addition, smaller scale restrictions were issued from the late 1980s for 12 years in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers Delta.One of the cause is low snowpack in the Cascades and Sierra, says Mt. Shasta Ski Park says.

Although there are exemptions made for some cases such as protecting health and safety, David Guy, president of the Northern California Water Association says that many including farmers, duck hunting clubs, and small cities, will struggle with their water right reduced in the Sacramento Valley. They will have to leave their lands where they live on. He also points out the possibility of new alternatives like groundwater or transferring water from other areas. Kostyrko claims the prospections of further restriction spreading over endangered species of fish or migratory birds to live and migrate in the Sacramento River system. The water affects not only on the economy but also the environment, says Guy. Actually the situation of the severe water drought will get worse. Jerry Brown, California Governor, mentions that the governor has called for all people living in California to limit water use by 20 percent, planning a way to promote voluntary transfer of water for people including farmers. Many local entities have been asked to restrict water use especially on grass lawns. Gleick praises the measure; however, he also sighs for the lack of interest and knowledge about how important waters is of citizens.

Having read this article, I got an idea; why does the government not promote the restrictions for people who have own grass lawns needing a sprinkler, and even pools. While many who are engaged in agriculture which of course needs a lot of water, and animals struggle with the lack of water are asked to stop using precious water, the people who have recreational facilities needing water does not care about the issue so much. I think this is a real problem. I have seen many rievrs without water since I came here. For example, a liver in Los Angels has a little water in some parts but no water in other parts. In Joshua Tree National Park, there was no water where sufficient water used to be; consequently, many cactus were dying for the extreme drought.