Water management

[basshunter4u]

I want to know why all the lakes are so drastically low after only one year of less than normal rain. The year before we had so much we were sick of it. Is this because we sell it to So Cal? I dont understand. This state is going to be in dire straights if we have another bad year of rain. Where is all the water going??? Do we need more lakes and reservoirs? Dang this is getting bad. I went to the lake today and I saw dirt in one of my favorite coves. I havent seen dirt there since the 80s. Is our water use that much more? Whats up?

Don O

[Greg_Cornish]

As for Clear Lake, 1 ft less water in Spring = 1 foot less water in fall I'm guessing thats true statewide. Yolo County controls our Lake County water. People gotta eat. It makes food.

[hydro]

Well lets see.... since nobody can predict what the future rain fall will be for the following year typically lakes are drawn down to a "minimum pool" level each fall . This level is based on average snow pack /rainfall run-off water available to refill the lake back up each spring . If a lake is left with too much water and excessive run-off flows into a lake it can overfill (spill) and cause uncontrollable flooding downstream . This is what lead to many dams being built in the first place for flood control purposes .
The problem occurs when after dropping a lake to it's minimum pool elevation there is not enough spring run-off to fill it back up . Due to the "V" shape of most dammed canyon reservoirs the lower the water level /the faster they go down for the same amount of water being released . Kind of like a roll of toilet paper the closer you get to the bottom the faster is goes . Oh yeah ! , and increased water consumption in the state figures into this too!

[kopper_bass]

basshunter,
all you need to do to see where our water goes is to take a drive down I-5 from NorCal to SoCal. The view of those amazing crops as far as the eye can see, is pretty crazy and a little scary.

Ironic though is a sign you will constantly see all along the way that just irks me to no end.

It says "FOOD GROWS WHERE WATER FLOWS". Support the Ca. Water Plan" or some organization like that.

Now the ironic part to this is that the sign is sitting on 1 side of the highway, perched in a huge field of nicely growing orchard trees, where of course the water from NorCal is being diverted to in order to grow those beautiful trees. But, looking across the highway to the other side of the road is the unfarmed, natural landscape of the area - A PLAINS DESERT!

Now it doesn't take a bioligist to rationally see that water doesnt flow in a desert, and as such, much of nothing grows here. So why do we expect thirsty plants & trees we use for food to be sustainable here? I would venture to guess that because the landscape is so arid, it actually takes more water to maintain these crops then a naturally water rich area like Washington State, or someplace, that gets regular rainfall and has rivers and streams to naturally support plant growth.

Why as humans do we always think we can change/control our environment and not face consequences of our actions?

idots if you ask me.

Just my .02

Kopper_Bass

[BassManDan]

Here here k-bass,
Time ot get a little political but......
The radio commercial for the new canal around the delta sounds so nice (to the uninformed) that would be a serious load of water leaving us in the North headed to LA basin. Simply put, if 1 year of low rainfall/snowpack equals our Northern California lakes at less than 50%, whats gonna be left when more of that water gets sent South... Folsom, Oroville and CampFarWest will be building longer launch ramps!!!

Hopefully this problem can be avioded, but unfortunately we're outnumbered by folks South of Hell (Bakersfield)!!!!

Hopin for the Best,
BassManDan

[Dan McKenzie]

Wow, your kidding right? While the area doesnt get abundunt rainfall as say some area's of Washington State, it is without a doubt one of the most fertile growing regions of the world, producing more fruit and vegetables per acre than just about anyplace you can think of (including WA). Got food? Then a good portion, including your dairy and meat probably came from the dessert you drove through.

[BassManDan]

True, but really I think the problem is the fact that most agricultural operations are very wasteful with water, that's not speculation, its fact. There are plenty of methods that are less wasteful, but they cost money, and most operationss are not willing to shel out the extra dough the keep a little MORE water in our lakes and rivers.
Yes, CA is the no. 1 agricultural producing state and is some of the most fertile regions for growing, but it really is the water practices that need some work
Also you have to take into consideration that we are becoming better with our water, mainly recycled water programs, its a fantastic idea and is a great foundation fro improvement.
Freshwater is relatively a very rare commodity, and the public at large are starting to realize that, with a little work we can certainly improve the California water situation.

Just my 2,
BassManDan

[jcruz]

The fight on the state level now is over new water capacity. The stark reality is that 23 million Southern Californians rely on delta water to drink and shower - and there is a big push by SoCal lawmakers to increase pumping levels on the delta. The problem here is the more you pump out of the lower delta, the more you lessen the downstream flows that could lead to higher levels of salt water intrusion. There is a need to build new capacity and that means the two new dams and and reservoirs currently being proposed at $1billion+ each and the face lift of all the Delta levees at another $2.5 billion. How does this stuff get paid for, voter approved state bonds - be prepared to see them on the February or November 2008 ballot.

[MIKE TREMONT]

Can of worms here. I've noticed some TV commercials that are hinting toward a shortage. I don't know who sponsors them or what spin is attached.
I can and will say that if we have some drought years like back in 76 or so that where all gonna be surf casting or spearing them from a lot of muddy banks. It doesn't take a large brain to know that there are millions of extra mouths here now, and the demand exceeds the supply, if we don't get average rainfall, and I think that's a little iffy at that.
One of the problems is we are reactionaries and stingy and not as proactive as we should be. You think a huge desalination plant built around LA would help? Or should we wait until there is a crisis ands then start? I'm sure it will take a couple of years to build a plant like that.
Green lawns in the desert like nice, but the natural landscape is just as beautiful and not as wasteful.
There are a lot of things that we can do now and not wait until the sky is falling. AND WE SHOULD!

[jcruz]

Mike you make some good points, The state of California hasn't made any large investment in our water infrastructure in the last 40 years and our growth is straining the current outdated conveyance system. The problem with desalinzation plants is costs associated with keeping up with ever the changing and improving technology. I hate taxes just like the next guy, but the sooner Californians realize this stuff isn't free and we all have to pay our fair share the sooner we get this water situation resolved.

[Steve]

Im not gonna touch this one.

I will mention two things: 1) those who really want to understand the water situation in CA need to read Cadillac Desert 2) the situation will only worsen as more and more people (through population growth, immigration, etc.) fight for a limited supply of water.

[fourbizzle]

Not proactive?!?! Don't use such broad strokes. I for one completely ignore my lawn allowing it to resemble wildlands and spend gardening time fishing instead! Now that IS proactive!

[bassindon69]

Sure we had a lot of water the last few years. How many new homes were built in those years? That's a lot more green grass to water, toilets to flush, dishes to wash, showers to take, washing cars and on.. There is many more using water and no new lakes. More mouths to feed. more water for more crops for food. I think in some lakes because of the toilet paper roll effect LOL We may see some go very fast. Hope for rain.


Don.

[707 basser]

Just shows how fragile we really are!! Two years of crappy rainfall and LA gets all of out water and we will be hurting! BS!! J.

[Jim Scarlett]

Hey Mike, glad to hear someone also experienced 1976, I took about 500 pictures of Folsom. I launched off the old contruction road at Beales Point. Man, has it paid off for me.

[kopper_bass]

Dan,
I'm no agriculturalist or expert on any of this, but to me it seems sure looks like the area is the most productive only because we pump so much water into it. The land that is otherwise unfarmed is harsh & arid looking!

Kopper_Bass