...California’s Water Problem Introduction: Water Sources in California In her book entitled Managing Water: Avoiding Crisis in California, the ecologist and historian Dorothy Green describes the complicated and intricate California water system (University of California Press, October 9, 2007). Green’s description and analysis becomes more important to the people of California with every week that passes/ This is because California is now in the fourth year of drought in which no rain, snow, or hail has fallen (“California Drought”, CA.gov. Online at: http://ca.gov/drought/). In her work on the topic, Dorothy Green describes very carefully the system by which the rain, snow, and hail that fall in northern California move downwards in a flow of water that serves the entire state thanks to the power of gravity. The river systems of California include Colorado River and the Sacramento River. These great river systems move the water southwards, (to Los Angeles) and westwards (to San Francisco), respectively. In addition to these well known rivers to the system of rivers in California includes more than thirty rivers including the Klamath, the American, the Tolumne, the Merced, the Yuba, the Kern, the Russian, the Tule, and right here in Los Angeles the Los Angeles River which runs right through the industrial section of downtown Los Angeles in a cement channel : In addition to the river systems of California, Green describes a network of dam release channels, canals...
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...Roberts English 1A-Final 22 May 2015 California’s Water Restrictions Throughout the last four years California has been suffering from major drought issues; this year conditions have hit an ultimate low. With that being said, Gov. Jerry Brown has passed mandatory water restrictions to the residents of California. David Siders, writer for the Sacramento Bee, researched if Californians agreed or not with the water restriction mandates. Within his research, he found through a new Field Poll that almost two-thirds of Californians were in support for the ordered water restrictions (Siders). Through this poll, it was learned that both Northern and Southern California residents are agreeing that there is a problem with water consumption in our state and something needs to change (Siders). With the polls showing nine out of ten residents expressing that the conditions are at least somewhat serious, this proves that California understands what is wrong, but are they ready to make the changes (Siders)? As a resident of California, I am completely aware of what our state has ahead of us. If our water consumption does not change, I can see that we will run out of water within the next couple of years. What Gov. Jerry Brown is doing for our state is greatly appreciated and one of the few things we can do that help with our current problem. Though I am aware with our current drought problem, I do not find myself restricting as much water as I should be and I have a feeling that others feel...
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...Clark English 201C 13 May 2015 Man-Made Water Crisis Over the past several years the state of California has been suffering from a drought that has left behind many farmers in the dust with their fallowed crops. The Central Valley, located in the heart of California, is home to a vast variety of crops that feed the world. The valley has taken the blunt of the hit caused by the recent drought as many farmers have received zero allocations of their contracted water along with many water wells drying up. The lack of water not only has an affect on farmers but anyone else that enjoys the succulent foods that articulate from California’s farms. As the lack of rainfall has had an influence on the current shortage of water, it is not the only factor contributing to it. “In 2009, the department of Fish and Wildlife ordered restrictions on the water run-off, which began the now six-year-old policy of sending billions of gallons of fresh water annually into the Pacific Ocean” (Hill). With California’s extensive need for water, legislation needs to transpire in order to use what precipitation we do receive to be allocated effectively and efficiently. California has been known for many substantial reasons, ranging from the Gold Rush of 1849 to its beautiful coast line that attracts many tourists. One important piece that always seems to be overlooked is the agricultural industry that thrives in the Central Valley. California produces much of the nations food; 99 percent of...
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...present and discuss our topic on California’s Drought. For the past 4 years California has experienced and heavy drought causing Urban water restrictions, and introducing fines and penalties for the miss use of water. This environmental concern has effect everyday life in California. Team A will discuss and elaborate on the issues of surrounding water waste, water preservation, and how California biggest water waste and income is at high risk. 1. Introduction 2. California Agriculture: Latoya Williams A. How much Agriculture is California responsible for? B. How much water is required to keep California Agriculture running? C. California’s yearly profit from Agriculture. 3. Growing Demands: Norma Benson A. California vs United State population B. Healthy lifestyle movement causing growing demands. 4. California Urban Use: Adriana Ortiz A. Who waste the most water? Urban vs Agriculture B. Dehydration in our front lawns comes with fines? 5. Dessert Landscape is The Future: Daniela Flores A. California Program to convert urban communities to desert landscapes. B. Who paying for it? 6. Large Companies Creating a Movement: Imran Ashraf A. How being responsible can create a profit and good image. B. Do companies get fined for water use? 7. Department of Water and Power: Carlos Garcia A. Public opinion and reaction to restrictions B. Challenges to policy implementation. C. How much does a fine cost...
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...controversial issue has been the conflict between water reductions. On the one hand, Justin Sullivan argues that this drought has been a difficult burden since people will argue about who cuts more of their water usage. He states, “People will say, ‘What about the farmers?’ Farmers will say, ‘What about the people who water their lawns”. As we all know outdoor use of water wastes much more water that is not even necessary. Some examples include: watering lawns, washing cars, watering gardens, and cemeteries over watering their grass. Sullivan argued that Mr. Brown stated that California would enforce these water restrictions and have a 25 percent cut in water consumption. People should value the importance of water and it should not be wasted on the contrary, it should be used in only the most necessary things. On the other hand, Damon Winter contends that the 25 percent of water reduction does not apply to farms and they are the ones who consume a great amount of the state’s water. Others like for example Mark Hertsgaard, maintain that the water is priced more cheaply than it should be; therefore, it encourages over consumption which leads people to waste water. My own view of this drought is if we the people don’t make changes and save water the drought will eventually worsen since their won’t be any people cooperating and trying to make a difference. When it comes to the topic of who has the right of using most of the state’s water, most of us will readily agree that each category...
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...Major Water Scarcity in California And it’s Effect on the American South West This essay explains the lack of precipitation in South West America and its effects on California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. It also explores the numerous alternatives that could be used in order to solve this water crisis. The cause of the drought in California is the lack of snowfall in the Rocky Mountains, which caused the river to evaporate. As temperatures are rising, it causes water to evaporate and dry out soil that we need to plant crops. Authorities are reducing the flow from Colorado’s two reservoirs, Lake Powell, which supplies the upper Colorado Basin, and Lake Mead, which supplies Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Evidence suggests “For the...
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...This year, California is experiencing its worst drought ever recorded in history. “The drought is so dire that experts are considering adding a fifth level to the four-tiered drought scale” (Hamblin, 3). Due to the constant dry heat during the winter and the rise of global warming, California’s water supplies has become limited. In California, there are three major water sources that they use: snowpack, reservoirs, and groundwater. “This year the snowpack is at a record low, just 5 percent of normal. Reservoirs are doing a bit better, at about two-thirds of normal. Groundwater has made up some of the difference, and is being pumped at a rate thirty-four percent above normal” (Holthaus, 2). As a result of over-pumping, the integrity of the...
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...Many of the opposing teammates of hemp legalization reveal their defense as being the legalization of one, is only to become a slippery slope to the road of the legalization of marijuana. The legalization of marijuana has been a hot topic recently with a handful of states having already passed bills for the recreational uses of marijuana. Although there are many beneficial uses for the drug, hemp cultivation has no correlation with the legalization of marijuana, as hemp is already legal in some states and has fewer federal restrictions than marijuana. The opposing side also argues that hemp cultivation will cause an increase in crime. The general idea of this concern is since hemp and marijuana have similar features, farmers and citizens alike, will use hemp farms to hide their marijuana cultivations. In turn it falls to robberies of another’s “field” which leads to fighting and possible shootings. Essentially, creating a snowball effect until the problem is so big citizens are crushed under it or it cannot be repaired. Such concerns arise due to the wars of marijuana farms across the nation. The farms are fueled by a supply and demand and since it is illegal the supply is high sought for resulting in more crime. The greatest example in American history this can be...
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...shower for five months? California has been in a drought for the past year. Citizens do not have enough water to shower, flush the toilet, and other basic rights. California should control water from the ground, Aquifer. “For Angelica Gallegos, the worst part has been going without a shower for five months.There are also the endless treks to the laundromat for the family wash and the supermarket for drinking water, not to mention the horror of the nightly dishes (source 2).” The drought in California has led many citizens to lose their basic rights they deserve. One of the many reasons why California should control water from the ground, is that citizens are having to go through harsh days not being able to shower, use the toilet, and wash dishes. “That includes deciding whether to use precious water hauled from the local fire stations for the “bird baths” Mrs Gallegos says everyone now has instead of showers, or flushing the toilet (source 2).” Citizens in California, are the ones suffering the most. For example, many citizens haven’t been able to shower for months and they...
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...nt1320 The State of California is in its worst water drought to date, many are affected by the water shortage including farm crops, and small cities. The management of the states water resources are not up to standards; however; their efforts of water conservation are improving. The state of California has issued state-wide regulations for water use, but many cities are taking it a step further. The City of Fresno is in a stage two storage contingency plan, which regulates outdoor water usage. According to the city of Fresno's website (www.fresno.gov) the watering schedule allows residences and local business to water outside on specific days Depending on the last digit of their street numbers. For example; street numbers ending in ODD numbers can water on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Street numbers ending with EVEN numbers can water on Wednesdays and Sundays. Also watering can only happen from the hours of 7:00pm to 6:00am. Anyone who is caught not following the water restrictions in the City of Fresno can face a $500 daily fine. In Madera county, the city has declared a stage four plan to conserve water. This means that watering outdoors is prohibited, even parks and other recreational facilities. Their goal is to reduce water usage in half. If water usage is being abused the board of supervisors can increase the penalties. The states government is also trying to request a bond that will allow the state to build reservoirs and aboveground water storages including a dam...
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...Water Crisis Impact in California Monica Mois Essentials of College Writing/COMM/215 October 6, 2014 Carolyn Geiser Water Crisis Impact in California Due to the lack of rain in the past few years, and particularly in the last few months, California faces severe drought. This is the worst drought in more than one hundred years. The impact of California drought affects community, agriculture, organic ranchers, and dairy farmers. Because of these facts, the United States must rethink the way it uses water. Californians alone are asked to reduce their water usage by twenty percent to prevent water waste. Communities, Agriculture, Organic Ranchers and Dairy Farmers Many communities in California struggle with shortage of drinking water. One example is “the small community of Cameron Creek Colony in Tulare County is struggling due to severe drought. About ten percent of its residents have no access to water because their wells have run dry. Others have only intermittent access” (USDA, 2014). In other communities, residents are urged to avoid wasting water. The Waterboards.ca.gov (2014) website has a list of emergency water conservation regulations stating that every citizen is prohibited to use potable water to wash sidewalks and driveway, to use hoses with no shut off nozzles to wash their cars, water the lawn more than two times a week, and reduce the amount of watering time for each station using an automatic sprinkler system. Residents could face...
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...percent of the state of California was in extreme drought. As California entered its fourth year of record-breaking drought, it was met with extremely parched landscapes. CBS News reports reveal that, “According to an aerial survey conducted by the U.S. Forest Service in April, about 12 million trees have died in California forestlands in the past year because of extreme drought.” Dead trees along with plant life in severe condition are seen throughout the Los Padres National Forest. These dead trees add another element to the hazards of the drought by threatening the dry landscape with the possibility of intense wildfires. On January 17, Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency for the state of California. This...
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...sources of water due to its expanding population and not having enough of its own water resources. The county itself relies on three major aqueducts such as the Los Angeles Owens Valley Aqueduct (1913), the Colorado River Aqueduct (1940), and the California Aqueduct (1972) that supplies the county with gallons of water each day (Bilodeau, W. L., et al. 46). Although the county has long relied on imported sources from many areas, utilizing the imports of water from non-localized sources has caused numerous of controversial issues since the establishment of the aqueduct systems in Los Angeles. Because of the controversy, county officials are actively using storm water capture and...
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...1972, the Clean Water Act was passed as a response to unhealthy water due to pollution. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the Clean Water Act has been debated for the past thirty years. The issue of clean, safe water has been plaguing our nation ever since the Clean Water Act’s passing and has been exacerbated by the surge of plastic in our consumer-driven society. There is no doubt that plastic pollution has become a huge nuisance namely in our waterways, but what has been done about it and moreover, what can be done about it? In 1983 the...
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...Inez Gonzalez Instructor: Dr. John Freytag Oceanography 101 November 4, 2015 San Francisco Bay Delta Issues 1.) Environmental problems and societal/political issues that impact delta: • Water Quality: Delta water can raise health problems (if used for drinking water) • Striped Bass: Decline in striped bass because of water (decline) • Decline of fish: Specifically Delta Smelt because of water supply and toxic algae (affects fish) • Clam infestation: removing food from water (that fish need) • Pollution: Toxic water (drinking water, fish population, toxic algae • Cut water deliveries: Causes ecological crisis • Long fin Smelt: Considered for protection because of decline of reproduction (specially no spawn of long fin smelt) • Water officials...
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