Essay On California Drought

The three years starting from fall 2011 to fall 2014 was the driest since record keeping started in 1895. California is now going into its fourth year of severe drought. A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions that causes water-related problems. California is in serious trouble and if we don't do anything about it, there will be dangerous consequences. Results of the drought include economic problems, water levels dropping, and long term impacts. The absence of water is leading to many economical problems. The drought is costing California about $2.7 billion year and is forcing many farmers to spend large sums of money to keep their crops hydrated and living. The drought is leading to crop revenue losses of $900 million and is charging dairy and livestock manufacturers $350 million. It is also impacting food prices, as the cost of many American produce has increased such as almonds, artichokes, olives, persimmons, pistachios and raisins. In addition, the drought has lowered seasonal farm employment by 10,100 jobs to a loss of roughly 18,600 full time, part time, and seasonal jobs this year. …show more content…
Throughout the drought, decreases in surface water flows can be harmful to hydropower production, navigation, recreation, and habitat for aquatic species. There have recently been documented streamflows that are under record lows for certain days of the year. As entry to surface water becomes more and more restrained, the state’s farmers and ranchers have become increasingly dependent on groundwater to make up for it. As a result, groundwater basins around the state are becoming extremely overdrawn, reducing the level below which the ground is saturated with water by 50 feet or more, often causing widespread land