Water shortage in California's future, and past, and now, duh

The Sacramento Bee/Capital and California/Matt Weiser, 3/23/14.  "California drought puts spotlight on water theft."

No problem in 40 years,
San Pedro Creek will be full of salt water

"Nearly 30,000 entities in the state hold valid water diversion permits, including individual property owners, farmers and water utilities. Some have meters or gauges to measure their diversions, but the state has no ability of its own to monitor those gauges in real-time. People and entities with water rights are required to regularly report their water use to the state, but many don’t, and the state has no way of knowing if their accounts – self-reported – are truthful.

In average water years, many of these issues don’t matter much. But the weaknesses are expected to complicate matters this year as the state struggles to stretch limited water supplies during the worst drought in 40 years. This spring, it is likely the State Water Resources Control Board will order some water rights holders to divert less water to ensure enough flow for cities and wildlife, something that has not been done since the drought of 1976-77. The state’s ability to enforce such curtailment orders will be sorely tested.

Our estimates are that we’ll be doing substantial curtailments in May, assuming a lack of substantial rainfall,” Howard said. “If it doesn’t start raining, it’s going to be a very big deal.”  Read article.

Related -  KQED,"Climate Watch", 7/22/10,  "California counties face water crunch."  "More than eight out of ten California counties will face frequent water shortages within 40 years. That’s the conclusion of a report released this week by Tetra Tech for the Natural Resources Defense Council." 

Note:  photograph from New York Times, 6/5/08, "Governor declares drought in California."

Posted by Kathy Meeh

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/03/23/6259597/california-drought-puts-spotlight.html#storylink=cpy