California State University Bakersfield Foundations of California Water Law and Transfers April 28, 2008
Physical Foundation Legal Background Application to Water Transfers
California’s Basic Water Dilemma: Mismatch of Rainfall and Productive Area Very Wet 40-45 in 70-75 in 20-25 in 55-60 in 10-15 in 0-5 in Over 100 in 30-35 in Very Dry Source: Oregon Climate Service, 1995 CA Annual Average (1961-1990) - inches
Water uses in California: 11% urban municipal & industrial development 43% agricultural production 46% environmental preservation
Water Supplies and Demands, SJV Portion of Kern Graph as tool for understanding local water Red line represents the total demand Vertical Bars show water availability during years - varying sources Inadequate surface supply > net groundwater withdrawals Surplus surface supply > net groundwater recharge
Annual water usage in Kern County: Municipal and industrial - 182,000 acre-feet Agricultural - 2,250,000 acre-feet