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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

National Geographic: When the Snows Fail

To learn more about the California drought, I turned to the National Geographic, the October 2014 issue (Vol. 226, No. 4). Nat Geo has been covering water issues in the American West (and the world), for some time now. I like their pictorial style of reporting, and creative use of charts and graphs to convey complex information. This article is by science writer Michelle Nijhuis, and photographer Peter Essick.

 
The article describes how most of the water in California comes from snow melt. Snow collects high in California’s mountain ranges. A state-wide system of dams collects snow melt, and a complex series of waterways, canals, and pipes redirects water to where it is needed. This water supplements surface water from rivers (such as the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers), ground water, and aquifers. In California and the West, more of our water comes from snowpack than rain. The snowpack has declined significantly in the past several decades. The article provides sobering graphics showing snowpack change over the past 60 years; drought conditions in the West; freshwater use in the West; wild fire trends over the last 30 years; and snowpack report for California.

The article also describes how Australia, when faced with a similar situation after a decade of drought, reduced urban water use, reformed the water allocation system, and provided incentives for farmers to use water more efficiently. Water use dropped, and water is now allocated equitably to the environment, farmers, and urban areas. In contrast, California has continued current practices, and taken no steps to ensure water availability for the future. Take a look: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/west-snow-fail/

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