Drought To Cut Off Federal Water To Calif. Farms

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Federal water managers said Friday that they plan to cut off water, at least temporarily, to thousands of California farms as a result of the deepening drought gripping the state.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials said parched reservoirs and patchy rainfall this year were forcing them to completely stop surface water deliveries for at least a three-week period beginning March 1. Authorities said they haven't had to take such a drastic move for more than 15 years.

The situation could improve slightly if more rain falls over the next few weeks, and officials will know by mid-March if they can release more irrigation supplies to growers.

Farmers in the nation's No. 1 agriculture state predicted it would cause consumers to pay more for their fruits and vegetables, which would have to be grown using expensive well water.

"Water is our life _ it's our jobs and it's our food," said Ryan Jacobsen, executive director of the farm bureau in Fresno County. "Without a reliable water supply, Fresno County's No. 1 employer _ agriculture _ is at great risk."

The drought would cause an estimated $1.15 billion dollar loss in agriculture-related wages and eliminate as many as 40,000 jobs in farm-related industries in the San Joaquin Valley alone, where most of the nation's produce and nut crops are grown, said Lester Snow, director of the Department of Water Resources.

Jeff Peracchi, a pomegranate and grape grower in Huron, said he was laying off employees because without water, there wouldn't be much fruit to pick.

"I can't just say I won't farm this year _ I have to do something. But I'm having to lay off guys who have been with us for years," Peracchi said. "At this point, I'm planning to farm to keep the fruit as healthy as I can, but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to be profitable."

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California's agricultural industry typically receives 80 percent of all the water supplies managed by the federal government _ everything from far-off mountain streams and suburban reservoirs. The state supplies drinking water to 23 million residents and 755,000 acres of irrigated farmland.

Farms supplied by flows from the state would still get 15 percent of their normal deliveries, but the combined state and federal cutbacks would leave more than 1 million acres of fields and orchards with no aboveground water supply, Snow said.

The state depends on winter snow in the Sierra Nevada for much of its summer water supply, but January was one of the driest winter months on record. This year, both the state and federal reservoirs have reached their lowest level since 1992.

Water for crops also was restricted by court decisions cutting back deliveries that flow through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a freshwater estuary home to the delta smelt, a fish scientists believe is on the brink of extinction.

Dwindling supplies would have to be routed to cities to ensure residents, hospitals and fire crews have enough to meet minimum health and safety needs, said Don Glaser, the federal reclamation bureau's Mid-Pacific Region director.

The water shortages are so severe most cities will have to start mandatory ration programs by summertime, and residents will be asked to reduce their usage by 20 percent, Snow said.

"You've got to think about water as a precious resource," he said. "It may seem a stretch to conserve 20 percent of your water, but that's nothing in comparison to the consequences of the drought and job loss in agriculture."

Comments

[Hoelder]

It is insane to irrigate crops with open water channels like in Imperial valley east of San Diego. First open canals in the desert are a bad idea and if not maintained not only loose water through evaporation and leaks. This canal is right at the border to Mexico. It leaks so bad that they grow crops on the other side. Generally, throughout Central Valley, Imperial Valley and San Bernardino farmers pour water sometimes in open canals to the plant, on the way the evaporate half of the water. There are a few farmers with more intelligent irrigation or crops. Bad habits die slowly. Rice in the desert is just plain dumb, so is corn, wheat and other water intense plants. Most of the produce and agricultural products is exported and California is one of the largest exporters. With the crops destined for Pacific nations or the Midwest and the East Cost, California exports literally water.

[newworldman777]

Darn. These little things like climate change -- resulting in diminished precipitation and consequently dangerously low supplies of potable water -- are putting a kink in America's blissfully ignorant, headlong plunge into a world of unchecked population growth. After all, America's burgeoning throngs are supposed to enjoy luxurious lifestyles better than their parents. That was the plan. Reminds me of the Robert Burns line, "The best-laid plans of mice and men/often go awry."

Why have America's past buffoons...er, leaders...ignored the potential problems now staring us in the face? Why would they assume that everything would remain at levels of optimal output, providing adequate sustenance for an exploding population? Not surprisingly, this short-sighted, arrogant society has blindly stumbled into the massive -- yet highly predictable -- problems that are now threatening to bury us. And to think that the former occupants of this land -- the Native Americans -- who revered the land and lived in harmony with it, were more often than not considered nothing but a bunch of savages by this "civilized society." What a joke.

[mamacat]

Rice growers have old gaurantees on their water deliveries from the federal government, so that they pay less than the cost of the water, as little as 1/25 of what homeowners pay, while orchard farmers have newer contracts and get their water cut first. Orchards need a fraction of the water that rice does, and yet because of the way things are structured, rice farmers stay in business, and orchards are allowed to die. It is not an efficient system. Some rice farmers have found it more profitable to sell their water to Southern California than to grow rice.

Rice farmers alone, in CA, use as much or more water than every homeowner and apartment dweller in CA, both north and south, combined. Growing rice in this semi-arid environment was fine when it started, in 1910, and the water supply far exceeded the needs of either agriculture or residents, but not today.

For the year 2009, eliminating below cost water for rice farming will solve the water shortage, and allow the fruit orchards and vegetable crops to be grown. In other words, a "free market" system, as opposed to welfare for rice farmers in the form of almost free water, would result in the more efficient use. Mandating the planting of water tolerant plants in the yards of homeowners is a worthy goal, but will have a minimal effect compared to stopping the corporate welfare for agribusinesses now takingplace.

[newworldman777]

Mississippi is quickly heading in the same direction as California. Our farming industries -- especially rice and catfish -- are steadily draining our subterranean water aquifer, at an average of 8 inches per year, with their pumping and irrigating operations. They are simply not allowing the aquifer to recharge, which is all but guaranteeing serious water shortages for Delta residents in the near future. The Delta's current generation -- like those everywhere else across this country -- are delaying any effort to appropriately deal with these problems, because the solutions would result in less agricultural output and subsequently less profit, which would mean a diminished lifestyle -- and they can't, or won't, accept that. They are willing to put these problems off onto their children and grandchildren. Rather selfish, to say the least.

[fiorastar]

Southern California where all those farms are located is naturally a desert, with poor soils, and no natural resource that enhances growing except constant sun. The farms are gigantic, and planted by automated robotic equipment running off GPS--employing fewer and fewer people. The food coming from many of them is highly chemicalized garbage with little nutrition. If you drive along I-5 down there, you will see light tan ground, that looks like anything but the rich growing soils of northern, wetter climes. In the space between the farm fences and the highway lies the true land--and it is covered in tumbleweeds, dust, and rocks, with a few wildflowers and sage brush that grow only in desert lands.

All over LA's vast expanse, constant outdoor water use for big green lawns and swimming pools is fed by open channels prone to evaporation themselves. It's all just stupid!

And of course, this water that is being so terribly wasted is coming from Northern California, a fertile area that has learned over the years to conserve its water, and can no longer support the wasteful ways of the south.

[mamacat]

Most farms in the state are located in the Central Valley.

[fiorastar]

I probably wasn't clear in my writing. What I meant was, "the area in Southern California where those farms are located"--which, of course, is the Central Valley along I-5. Move north of Sacramento, and there are still farms there, of course, but there is also natural water and good soil.

[coastalcarla]

Southern California has been sucking Northern California dry for decades. If you don't want to pay more for veggies, replace your back lawn with a garden. Simple.

[BlackWidowPilot]

Amen! As a Northern California native, I was and always remain appalled by the profligate use of outside water by the vast pit that is Southern California, especially lawns and other monocultures that are simply neither native to SoCal nor suitable to the local environment.

Past time to get real both in CA and across this country about the importance of fresh water resources, and smart, sustainable water use.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[mamacat]

In 2007, the LA Times reported that in 2006, 62% of new construction in South Cal was for multi-family units, not homes, and that soon new multi-family construction will outpace single family structures 3 to 1. Apartments don't have much room for gardens. The popular image of CA being full of suburban townhomes, with large lawns and swimming pools, is just that - an image, not the reality. While there are neighborhoods of upper middle class with swimming pools, they are a distinct minority.

Most Northern and Central California water supplies go to agriculture, in the Central Valley, not to Southern California. As was stated in the article, 80% of water used in California goes to farming, which is largely influenced by corporate agribusinesses. Any time mega-corporations are involved, very well funded lobbyists are part of the equation. Thus agribusinesses get a large share of the State's water, and manage to get it at below cost, subsidised by taxpayers, the ovewhelming majority of whom live in Southern California.

Throwing all of the blame at homeowners is nothing but a distraction, that takes our eyes off of where the water is really going, and who is being stuck with paying for its misuse. The way that water is used and funded in CA has been hidden from public view and discussion. Transparency would lead to changes being made, but corporations will fight that from happening.

[PSM42]

London is reputed to recycle its water about 10 times from source to sea. Most of the US does not. Nor does California, AT ALL. Not even once. Nor twice. This is not rocket science.

The Economist commented in detail on California's water usage; on growing rice in the central valley, on supplying the cities. And on the fact that the prices paid for water by the cities and farmers were VERY far apart, encouraging decidedly odd water usage.

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=E1_TVNQSDD

It turns out the London 'recycling 10 times' story is incomplete - naturally enough -

http://www.dwi.gov.uk/pubs/tap/index.htm

[Sosa]

The lawns may dry up and turn brown and people might have to get used to taking a shower every other day, or for that matter Socal might just revert back to being a desert. However, life will go on. This isn't the first drought and certainly not the last. Its not even as bad as some of the past droughts. The chaparral in in the hills look nice and green after all the rain from last week. My advice is, if you live somewhere else and don't want to pay more for veggies, plant your own garden. Tastes better and is fresher then store bought stuff.

[BlackWidowPilot]

During WW2 a substantial proportion of produce grown in the US was grown in "victory gardens" across the country.

It can indeed be done.

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[mamacat]

My pet peeve is the landscaped areas abutting the freeways. I have seen areas that had gone back to nature that were very beautiful, which were subsequently dug up and replaced with sprinklers and foliage that is not native. Such use of the landscape is very counterproductive, it seems to me, and also a huge waste of the government's budget.

How much money could be saved by allowing the areas close to freeways to return to native California flora? Many millions, I would thing.

[mssreader]

Los Angeles has just cut water use for lawns to twice a week in order to cut back on water! What a joke. I lived in Marin when we had the severe drought in the 70s and we were rationed to 28 gallon of water per day per member of a household and the people of Marin actually did better. THERE IS TOO MUCH WATER WASTE period. We don't need lawns but we do need food. Yep. even golf courses are not necessary try playing golf on an empty stomach!

A recent new resident of Marin made the comment we'll all have cement lawns. Stupid comment! For years there were no lawns in Marin, they were not allowed and we had lovely rock gardens and innovative beautiful gardens. To this day, I conserve water from that experience and never take water for granted.

Our two favorite bumper stickers during those dayswere: drink wine not water and save water, shower with a friend.

[Blutus]

My favorite topic!

Let's try not to panic folks. There are solutions:

Stop growing cotton and citrus in the desert.

Over-population?? Climate change will kill millions of people. Not a problem.

Drink the oceans?? You bet we will. So get ready. It doesn't matter what it will cost. A few days without water and people will dismantle the entire defense department. Do it now or do it later, but eventually human kind will begin drinking the oceans in a big way.

Dopey's fault?? Since the drought in the southwest has been going on for decades, I doubt it is the fault of Bush. Try again.

Read a little history about water in the American west and you will realize what we're up against.

Start with The Cadillac Desert. And don't worry about California. They deserve everything
that is about to happen to them. Water thieves from long ago.......­..........

[Progrocker]

Cadillac Desert is an excellent book, an enjoyable, educational read.

[grammy11]

Not one person commented about the illegal immigrant workers in the field. I guess this is another way for the federal government to ignore this. Why can't offers for jobs be made to Americans on welfare instead of supoporting them and the illegals? Cut welfare and insist they work the fields for the money instead of laying around watching TV and send the illegals home.

[BlackWidowPilot]

Riiight. Let's put the single teen mothers and disabled folks on welfare out in those fields for $4.00 an hour. BTW, how do you know the workers in the photo were here illegally?

Got proof?

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[mssreader]

The minimum wage is more than $4:-] Let's put the fathers of these single teen mothers to work on the farms though. Why do you specify teen mothers. I still think it takes two to become a parent though OOPS there is a woman in LA who 14 without sex isn't there and she's certainly on welfare though she had the money to pay for the procedure!

[PSM42]

Lead by example. I don't think you'd make it through the first week. RIP.

[PSM42]

Lead by example. I don't think you'd make it through the first week. R. IP.

[WriterGuy]

Welfare has already been cut, thanks to Bill Clinton. No one is living large on the governement till any more-- unless you count Wall Street investment bankers. And many of the migrant farm workers are here legally, although they aren't citizens.

[OlskoolDem]

Why not use some of that stimulus money to build a network of desalinaters and pipe the treated sea water to the farming areas. I think the Saudis do this. No one has addresed this due to the cost but this could be a nessesary change in the way things are done.
Maybe do the same for non-potable water in the SE like Atlanta.
An end to a problem and would create a ton of Jobs too.

[fiorastar]

I lived in Saudi. It doesn't work. The soil becomes too salinated, even with desalinated water. The agriculture that does work in Saudi is on the oases. However, desalinated water does work for washing, swimming, and other uses.

[Aaror]

Maybe it was a mistake to create giant rice farms in a desert?
Rice requires the field be completely underwater, and the big California rice farms are in a desert, who came up with this great idea???
Since CA has a republican governator, how about he uses free market economic means to distribute the water. Instead of rationing it or asking people to cut back, just raise the price until demand=supply, and use the "water tax," to pay the budget shortfall.

[WriterGuy]

I've always wondered about the rice farming. Makes no sense, except if your business is geared around low-cost federal water.

And for those who are asking people in Southern California not to shower or flush, get real. Homes use a grand total of 7 percent of the water in California. The rest is industry and (mostly) agriculture. If every home in California cut their water use in HALF it would only amount to a three percent savings statewide. We need better solutions.

[k6007]

Keep your eye on the 'privatizers'.

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/9/12/flow_for_love_of_waternew_film

[pahpah25]

the bush family has companies ready to go on 'water=pri­vatization­'.....JEB tried to get ti going when he was gov.of florida...­.......but he got sht down pretty quick...i think the companies name was AZURA or something similar.

[You]

And they own 230,000 acres in Paraguay and Argentina right on top of the world's largest aquifer which stores enough water for every MW&C on the planet for 250 years.

[mphalen]

Water pipelines. Build water pipelines from flood plain areas to drought areas. We need a giant deep tunnel system for the whole country. And when we start to reduce the carbon emissions, that intefere with the water cycle, we will alleviate the flood-drought cycle that affects the country.

[StopGlobalWarmingBeVegan]

Solution to water crisis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ7N-FPF0ac

[JScott]

Not a solution only part of it, the 800 lb gorilla that no one talks about is limiting human population growth, we can barely feed 6 billion people adequately, 10 billion looks iffy.

[Syncoptic1]

It really chaps my hide that no one will address that issue because some a-hole inevitably starts ranting about everyone's "reproductive rights". Sorry, all the Octomom and Duggar family types everywhere, but we need to work out this "food and air" issue before you go about pushing out more litters.

[Nepe]

Well maybe we should only feed our citizens 303.8 million? Nothing beats limiting human population than starvation. *sarcasm* Birth rates in the United States are down by the way, 14.18/1000 and the population of the United States is 0.883%. Maybe the problem is the most of our agriculture is being produced in the desert. Maybe we should be finding new techniques to use salt water instead. Maybe we should have farmers move to a more fertile state. Maybe we should worry more about our own population than the worlds population.

~Ashley