National Geographic has called the drought "an out-of-sight crisis." It's on a large enough scale that our minds can't exactly fathom what this loss means - and when that happens, "out of sight, out of mind." No insult, mind you, but the water crisis is another example of something that shouldn't be underestimated nor undermined. Though many know (and can predict) what happens in a drought, here are unusual plot twists from the drought.
1. The drought has caused our dependence on groundwater to skyrocket - which makes our agricultural future very uncertain.
Best explained through National Geographic: "Groundwater (freshwater that comes from in the soil or in pores/crevices of rocks) comes from aquifers—spongelike gravel and sand-filled underground reservoirs—and we see this water only when it flows from springs and wells. In the United States we rely on this hidden—and shrinking—water supply to meet half our needs, and as drought shrinks surface water in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, we rely on groundwater from aquifers even more. Some shallow aquifers recharge from surface water, but deeper aquifers contain ancient water locked in the earth by changes in geology thousands or millions of years ago. These aquifers typically cannot recharge, and once this "fossil" water is gone, it is gone forever—potentially changing how and where we can live and grow food, among other things."
The U.S. Geological Survey reported in 2013 that 40 aquifers across the United States that the groundwater depletion has increased dramatically since 2000, with almost 25 cubic kilometers (or 6 cubic miles) of water per year being pumped from the ground. From 1900 to 2008, the average withdrawal was around 9.2 cubic kilometers (or 1.48 cubic miles). More than twice the amount of groundwater is being used in the span of over a decade than the average for over a century.
Agriculture uses around 70% of the world's water supply. As of March 4, 2014, the USDA reported that over 94 percent of California’s $43 billion agricultural sector was experiencing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought, with the livestock sector more directly exposed to exceptional drought than the crop sector. As much of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is affected by drought, it is unclear how we will be affected in the long-term. The USDA comments that "Major impacts from the drought in California have the potential to result in food price inflation above the 25 year historical average of 2.8 percent," though the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts fruit prices may rise as much as 6 percent this year, while vegetables may go up as much as 3 percent nationwide.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported in 2013 that 40 aquifers across the United States that the groundwater depletion has increased dramatically since 2000, with almost 25 cubic kilometers (or 6 cubic miles) of water per year being pumped from the ground. From 1900 to 2008, the average withdrawal was around 9.2 cubic kilometers (or 1.48 cubic miles). More than twice the amount of groundwater is being used in the span of over a decade than the average for over a century.
Agriculture uses around 70% of the world's water supply. As of March 4, 2014, the USDA reported that over 94 percent of California’s $43 billion agricultural sector was experiencing severe, extreme, or exceptional drought, with the livestock sector more directly exposed to exceptional drought than the crop sector. As much of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is affected by drought, it is unclear how we will be affected in the long-term. The USDA comments that "Major impacts from the drought in California have the potential to result in food price inflation above the 25 year historical average of 2.8 percent," though the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts fruit prices may rise as much as 6 percent this year, while vegetables may go up as much as 3 percent nationwide.
2. The drought has created the crime of "water theft."
In Mendocino County, California, officials report there is a black market for peddling water, and it's thriving. Water is being stolen from neighbor's wells, private tanks, canals, and even fire hydrants. Law enforcement is having a difficult time trying to combat water thieves. There has not been any statewide effort proposed to curtail this new crime - though city and county-wide, authorities are trying to think of a fitting penalty.
Currently, Mendocino County considers water theft a misdemeanor. County Supervisor Carre Brown thinks it's not a proper punishment: "To me, this like looting in a disaster. It should be a felony," Brown commented.
In Contra Costa County, police fine anyone caught stealing water $25. If water theft worsens, the county may soon increase the penalty to $250 and up the amount to $500 for repeat offenders.
Currently, Mendocino County considers water theft a misdemeanor. County Supervisor Carre Brown thinks it's not a proper punishment: "To me, this like looting in a disaster. It should be a felony," Brown commented.
In Contra Costa County, police fine anyone caught stealing water $25. If water theft worsens, the county may soon increase the penalty to $250 and up the amount to $500 for repeat offenders.
3. How has the drought affected California's vineyards?
California's famous Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast responsible for 15% of the California's winegrape production. Contrary to what you might think, the drought has affected the vineyards positively - for the short-term, at least. Adding together warm days, cool nights, and dry weather has produced exceptional grapes, making some vintners ecstatic for these high-quality vintages.
Another reason behind these gorgeous grapes: reduced water forces the grapevines to produce smaller berries, which results in sugar and flavors being more concentrated, said Michael Honig, president and co-owner of Honig Vineyard & Winery in Napa County. If there is too much rain, he said, the grapes can be covered in mildew and mold. “If there’s a silver lining to the drought in terms of wine grapes, it’s that they are really drought tolerant,” said Mr. Honig. The drought is good news for the industry, as northern California was hit by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake August 24. The powerful quake had broken warehouses full of wine barrels, as well as destroying or damaging hundreds of buildings in Napa County. The losses to the wine industry amounted to $80.3 million, according to county reports.
However, wineries are stressing that clean water is necessary to keep the vineyards healthy. The drought might make a great vintage now - but without accessible water for irrigation, perhaps California's wine reputation might be sloshed.
Another reason behind these gorgeous grapes: reduced water forces the grapevines to produce smaller berries, which results in sugar and flavors being more concentrated, said Michael Honig, president and co-owner of Honig Vineyard & Winery in Napa County. If there is too much rain, he said, the grapes can be covered in mildew and mold. “If there’s a silver lining to the drought in terms of wine grapes, it’s that they are really drought tolerant,” said Mr. Honig. The drought is good news for the industry, as northern California was hit by a magnitude 6.0 earthquake August 24. The powerful quake had broken warehouses full of wine barrels, as well as destroying or damaging hundreds of buildings in Napa County. The losses to the wine industry amounted to $80.3 million, according to county reports.
However, wineries are stressing that clean water is necessary to keep the vineyards healthy. The drought might make a great vintage now - but without accessible water for irrigation, perhaps California's wine reputation might be sloshed.
4. What does California's "driest year" actually mean?
By this spring, California experienced its driest three-year stretch since 1895. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, and Sacramento logged their driest year ever in 2013. "Drought" is a well-known term, but what does a drought encompass?
- Low snowpack. Much of the state's agriculture is watered through the Sierra Nevada snowfall, which reported a paltry 19 - 29% snow coverage in January. In early December, the mountain range was 88% covered. As higher temperatures cause those snowpacks to evaporate, fresh water supply is drastically reduced.
- Less than 48 inches of rain annually. In the higher elevations of northern California, 50 inches of precipitation is considered "average" during the water year of July 1 - June 30. In Monterey, California, only 2.39 inches inches of precipitation has been measured since January.
- Extremely dry soil. Climbing hot temperatures and infrequent watering leads to parched soil, possibly rising the occurrence of wildfires.
- High pressure. According to the National Weather Service in Monterey, high pressure areas tend to evaporate water vapor in the areas it surrounds. Though this would usually typify California's calm, cool weather, the high pressure area known as the "Ridiculously Resilient Ridge" dominated much of the eastern Pacific Ocean/Alaska area, which blocked out the pacific storms that would usually benefit the Golden State.
5. The drought has pitted two unlikely rivals against each other: almond farmers versus wild salmon farmers.
Almonds, considered California's second most lucrative, easiest-to-grow crop, has had its production sliced drastically - the $4 billion dollar industry is threatened by the drought. California supplies 80% of the world's almonds, with the demand increasing from 912 million pounds to 1.88 billion pounds in the last year. Though this season's crop is thriving, new state measures will force growers to rely on groundwater for a hefty price, as well as sacrificing almond trees. So, what does this have to do with fish?
According to NPR, "thousands of adult king, or Chinook, salmon are now struggling to survive in the Klamath River of northern California, where waters are running dangerously low and warm due to diversion of river flows into the Central Valley, an intensely farmed agricultural area. If more water isn't let into the Klamath River within the coming days, the salmon, which are migrating upstream toward their spawning grounds, could succumb to a disease called gill rot. Local tribes have been pleading with the state to release cold water into the stream from Trinity Lake, a reservoir upstream of the salmon. This would chill the river, stop the disease in its tracks and allow the salmon to continue their spawning migration."
However, most of Trinity Lake's water has been promised to the state's agricultural and industrial endeavors. To make matters worse, the almond orchards are apparently the greediest.
Californian farmers have been accused of siphoning off groundwater at the expense of the state's future water reserves. David Zetland, economics professor at Leiden University College in the Netherlands, says farmers are pumping water at a rate four to five times greater than can be replenished: "The people of the state of California are more or less destroying themselves in order to give cheap almonds to the world."
What could this drought mean for the two? It could possibly mean almonds become an expensive food item and the salmon are left to dry - or dead.
Update: According to the California governor's website, the Klamath River fishery was closed only 6 days after NPR released their report.
According to NPR, "thousands of adult king, or Chinook, salmon are now struggling to survive in the Klamath River of northern California, where waters are running dangerously low and warm due to diversion of river flows into the Central Valley, an intensely farmed agricultural area. If more water isn't let into the Klamath River within the coming days, the salmon, which are migrating upstream toward their spawning grounds, could succumb to a disease called gill rot. Local tribes have been pleading with the state to release cold water into the stream from Trinity Lake, a reservoir upstream of the salmon. This would chill the river, stop the disease in its tracks and allow the salmon to continue their spawning migration."
However, most of Trinity Lake's water has been promised to the state's agricultural and industrial endeavors. To make matters worse, the almond orchards are apparently the greediest.
Californian farmers have been accused of siphoning off groundwater at the expense of the state's future water reserves. David Zetland, economics professor at Leiden University College in the Netherlands, says farmers are pumping water at a rate four to five times greater than can be replenished: "The people of the state of California are more or less destroying themselves in order to give cheap almonds to the world."
What could this drought mean for the two? It could possibly mean almonds become an expensive food item and the salmon are left to dry - or dead.
Update: According to the California governor's website, the Klamath River fishery was closed only 6 days after NPR released their report.