Water Shortage in California By: Sultan Al-Kaabi

California California is the most populous state in the United State, with a population of 36,961,664 (2009 est.) 3 Capital City is Sacramento. 3 It is located on the West Coast of the United States, and is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada to the northeast, Arizona to the southeast, the Mexican state of Baja California to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. 3 With an area of 160,000 square miles (414,000 km2). Central Valle agricultural heartland and grows approximately one-third of the nation's food. 3 Central Valle bounds by the coastal mountain ranges in the west, the Sierra Nevada to the east, the Cascade Range in the north and the Tehachapi Mountains in the south. 3

Map of California

Capital City of California (Sacramento) Located along the Sacramento River and just south of the American River's confluence in California's expansive Central Valley. 5 With a population estimate of 463,794 people. 5

Drought in California California has been dealing with drought condition for the past consecutive 3 years and with a fourth on the way. 6 Hardest hit is Westlands, the biggest irrigated region in the country, where much of the nation's fruit, nuts and produce come from. 12 Water years represent the 12th driest three-year period in the state’s measured hydrologic record. 6 Farmers have been particularly badly hit in a state which is the largest producer of food and agricultural products in the US. 12 “The University of California estimates that the drought may cause 847,000 acres (3,428 KM ) to go unplanted this year, with income reductions of more than $2 billion and the loss of 70,000 jobs.” 12

Global warming is happening everyday, and everyday the carbon dioxide increases from its atmospheric level, that may lead California into a huge water problem over the next 50 years. Global warming decreased the amount of rainfalls and snow every year for the past 3 years. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide is a result of burning fossil fuels which comes from human daily activity, such as power generation, driving automobiles, heating and industrial production. 6

Natural Disaster Leads to Drought It had appeared that Wild fires are another reason why Drought takes place. Wild fire burn down the ground and makes its dry, it even effectively boils down coast rivers and some part of lakes. Floods even leads to water Shortage because the flood pollutes some natural resources where the state extract water from.

Map of Where wildfire had taken place in California during the year

Impacts

Social Impacts The water that is offered only supports 18,000,000 people while the population lays with an estimate of 36,961,664 people. 11 People who have lived in the country side now have moved into the city. (Lake Oroville e.g) 10 Prices of water is now up, therefore not many people buy as much water was they did before. 11

Economic Impacts “The resulting water shortages are causing major economic impacts to agriculture and communities that depend on agriculture for employment.” ( Farmers now find it hard to extract water since the Government had higher the water price e.g). 13 Damages associated with wildfires and loss of timber(wood) resources can be one of the largest economic impacts of drought. 13

Environmental Impacts Environment plays a big role in the drought conditions, some examples in the following: - Forests are now turning into Dry Lands, this puts Animals in a serious condition. - Rivers and other Water Resources are drying. (e.g *Photo Will be on the next slide*) - Increased temperature also accelerates melting of snow. (e.g “Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is at 80% of its normal levels and precipitation in the mountains is near 90% of normal.”) 7

Agriculture This is a table that shows the amount of crop produces over the years. As you can see the total reduced each year since 2005 until That clearly shows that Drought had affected the growing of the crops.

Lake Oroville has been hit by a drought 6

Possible Solutions

Water Conservation The Water Conservation is one of the most used tools California has in addressing water Shortages. Water Conservation basically refers to reducing the usage of water and recycling of waste water for different purposes like cleaning, manufacturing and agriculture. It has been calculated that of-the shelf conservation can preserve 500 to more than 650 trillion gallons of water per year; this is enough water to provide 3- 4 million homes with water for a year. 12

Desalination It’s the process of removing salt from water; for instance it makes certain bodies of the water undrinkable so people can use it for watering their garden, and for other household purposes. But water Desalination requires tons of millions to build it, overall its worth it. 12

Recycling Water Recycled water is the waste of water that has been treated and had the bacteria's and other harmful chemicals removed. Recycled water can be used in any way except drinking. There are many outdoor landscaping that can use the recycled water for example gold courses. 12

Reservoirs Reservoirs are large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply. They are build as a back-up if something goes wrong in the water- cycle. Building more Reservoirs in Winter would help store water for summer uses. Although three dry winters have left California's reservoirs at their lowest levels since 1992 yet the aim is to build more Reservoirs in highland areas where snow falls. 13, 11

Place and Space This issue significantly relates to Place and Space since this issue had taken a huge part of California and specifically southern California where most of the drought took place. This issue even had affected the human Environment socially and Economically. This issue now is forming a pattern whereas the issue had occurred for the last 3 consecutive years. If this didn’t happen the differences would be that the Human Environment in California would be independent with its natural sources. Without it happening California would still have a big space in Central Valle where they can support all of their citizens with the growing crops. In my perspective I think California is in need for so much water due to its increasing population density. Despite the fact that both Los Angles and Seattle lays on the sea shore,yet Los Angles which is representing California is the city that uses a big amount of water. The reason why is because Seattle’s population is 582,174 whereas Los Angles population is 3,833,995, therefore its certainly going to affect the water shortage in California more than its going to affect Seattle. The issue of water shortages overall lead to some constraints, for instance if we take an example of Lake Oroville; It had been tremendously affected by the drought and that relates to space since the drought really covered a huge part of Oroville.

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