Water Use in California

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | April 19th, 2023

Wells of Southern California

Scientific American | March 22nd, 1902

In the Series of Water Supply Irrigation Papers, the United States Geological Survey has in press, but not yet published, the “Wells of Southern California" (Nos. 59

In the Series of Water Supply Irrigation Papers, the United States Geological Survey has in press, but not yet published, the “Wells of Southern California" (Nos. 59 and 60), by Mr. Joseph Barlow Lippincott. In his letter of transmittal Mr. F.H. Newell, Hydrographer in Charge, remarks: "The results are instructive, as showing what may be done in other parts of the United States under favorable conditions of climate and soil, and have peculiar interest in any consideration of the extent to which the arid land can ultimately be redeemed by irrigation." The region discussed is the San Bernardino Valley in Southern California, which has an area of 563 square miles, and lies south and west of the Sierra Madre and San Bernardino Mountains. Riverside and Rcdlands are the centers of fruit production. Up to elevations of 2,000 feet the relatively high lands are free from frost, and the relatively low lands are subject to it. The distinctive crop of San Barnardino Valley is citrus fruits. Oranges predominate, followed next by lemons, and of late years the grape fruit has become a popular product. Olives, almonds, prunes, apricots, peaches, pears, and wine, raisin, and table grapes, are all grown to perfection in this district. In the eleven years prior to 1898 Riverside shipped nearly seven million boxes of oranges, an average annual income of $1,000,000. Water is the lifeblood of the land.

Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Westlands Water District | January 23rd, 2020

What If California’s Drought Continues?

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) | August 20th, 2015

California is in the fourth year of a severe, hot drought—the kind that is increasingly likely as the climate warms. Although no sector has been untouched, impacts so

California is in the fourth year of a severe, hot drought—the kind that is increasingly likely as the climate warms. Although no sector has been untouched, impacts so far have varied greatly, reflecting different levels of drought preparedness. Urban areas are in the best shape, thanks to sustained investments in diversified water portfolios and conservation. Farmers are more vulnerable, but they are also adapting. The greatest vulnerabilities are in some low-income rural communities where wells are running dry and in California’s wetlands, rivers, and forests, where the state’s iconic biodiversity is under extreme threat. Two to three more years of drought will increase challenges in all areas and require continued—and likely increasingly difficult—adaptations. Emergency programs will need to be significantly expanded to get drinking water to rural residents and to prevent major losses of waterbirds and extinctions of numerous native fish species, including most salmon runs. California also needs to start a longer-term effort to build drought resilience in the most vulnerable areas.

Willingness to Pay to Protect Wetlands and Reduce Wildlife Contamination from Agricultural Drainage

Springer | December 2nd, 1991

This chapter presents the results of a survey of the general population in California regarding their willingness to pay for alternative programs to protect and expand we

This chapter presents the results of a survey of the general population in California regarding their willingness to pay for alternative programs to protect and expand wetlands as well as reduce wildlife contamination in the San Joaquin Valley (Valley). The results of 803 completed interviews from 1,573 successfully contacted households indicate that Californians would pay $154 each year in higher taxes to purchase water to prevent a decrease in wetland acreage from 85,000 acres to 27,000 acres. This value rose to $254 to provide foran increase in wetland acreage to 125,000 acres with an associated 40 percent increase of bird populations. California households would pay $313 each year in additional taxes to implement agricultural drainage programs that would reduce waterbirds exposure to contamination from 70 percent to 20 percent exposure. The water management implication of these results is that Californians value clean water supplies for refuges at over $3 billion a year.

Yuba Subbasins Water Management Plan: A Groundwater Sustainability Plan

Yuba Water Agency | December 27th, 2019