Post by diane9247 on May 12, 2015 11:11:38 GMT
Entering the fourth year of drought in California is not only an emergency for the state, it will soon have repercussions throughout the country. California is the country's Horn of Plenty, growing a large percentage of many of our fruits, nuts and vegetables, as well as produce exports. Just two examples: California farmers grow 90% of the broccoli and 95% of the garlic consumed in the USA. To say that farmers are worried is an understatement.
Governor Jerry Brown has declared mandatory cutbacks in water use in urban areas, but farmers are exempt. This has the potential of causing strife between city-dwellers and farmers, since 80% of the state's water is used for agriculture. Photos show how bad it really is...
An orchard of dead almond trees in the Central Valley.
A section of Lake Oroville, a major reservoir, at 32% of capacity.
Lake Oroville California.kmz (843 B)
California just entered its fourth year in drought. Experts say it's the worst the state has seen in 1,200 years.
Dwindling reservoirs, shrinking lakes, and dried-up farm fields are everywhere — and the drought shows no sign of stopping.
The state's snowpack, which typically provides about a third of the water for its farms and residents, remains at its lowest level in history.
Dwindling reservoirs, shrinking lakes, and dried-up farm fields are everywhere — and the drought shows no sign of stopping.
The state's snowpack, which typically provides about a third of the water for its farms and residents, remains at its lowest level in history.
An orchard of dead almond trees in the Central Valley.
A section of Lake Oroville, a major reservoir, at 32% of capacity.
Lake Oroville California.kmz (843 B)