Will California run out of water? (San Diego, Carlsbad: 2015, houses, construction)

[Racer46]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

Not this one.

Study finds Western megadrought is the worst in 1,200 years: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/14/10803...in-1-200-years

And in The Grapes of Wrath, the Joads were leaving Oklahoma to come to California.

Yes, it is not a drought, but the term megadrought does seem to fit as it isn't just CA that is effected, but several other States that share water with CA. Desalination in SD was a great idea, but the legal battles over it for other locations will delay any quick fix from that technology.

[davdaven]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

Not this one.

Study finds Western megadrought is the worst in 1,200 years: https://www.npr.org/2022/02/14/10803...in-1-200-years

And in The Grapes of Wrath, the Joads were leaving Oklahoma to come to California.

Thanks for the link. I presumed you were talking about the droughts we have ever few years. Misery loves company, and we have it this time. And I was referring to East of Eden, not The Grapes of Wrath.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by davdaven

I presumed you were talking about the droughts we have ever few years...I was referring to East of Eden.

I apologize; I read that book so long ago that I didn't even recall his description of the years of drought in the Salinas Valley.

[joosoon]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

1. Eliminate water to the Almond growers

This again?
Ok, and grow *what* instead? Native species plants like tumble weeds?

Besides, the industry disputes that high end nut crops are outrageously thirsty and that somehow a low water alternative for them exists. Agriculture is a water intensive business in general, and it's not just crops that require a lot of it to exist. Farming isn't going to shift to a low profit item if you eliminate almonds, pistachio, citrus, etc. from the equation. They'll just quit and subdivide farm land into, wait for it... more housing.

[Racer46]

Originally Posted by joosoon

This again?
Ok, and grow *what* instead? Native species plants like tumble weeds?

Besides, the industry disputes that high end nut crops are outrageously thirsty and that somehow a low water alternative for them exists. Agriculture is a water intensive business in general, and it's not just crops that require a lot of it to exist. Farming isn't going to shift to a low profit item if you eliminate almonds, pistachio, citrus, etc. from the equation. They'll just quit and subdivide farm land into, wait for it... more housing.

Humm, will people who move in use less water per year than the almond trees that are removed?

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by joosoon

This again?
Ok, and grow *what* instead? Native species plants like tumble weeds?

Besides, the industry disputes that high end nut crops are outrageously thirsty and that somehow a low water alternative for them exists. Agriculture is a water intensive business in general, and it's not just crops that require a lot of it to exist. Farming isn't going to shift to a low profit item if you eliminate almonds, pistachio, citrus, etc. from the equation. They'll just quit and subdivide farm land into, wait for it... more housing.

Everyone is screeching for more housing, thinking it will make California affordable? Where do we get the water and electricity for yet more housing? I'm sure an acre of expensive homes will use more water than an acre of nuts.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by joosoon

This again?
Ok, and grow *what* instead? Native species plants like tumble weeds?

Besides, the industry disputes that high end nut crops are outrageously thirsty and that somehow a low water alternative for them exists. Agriculture is a water intensive business in general, and it's not just crops that require a lot of it to exist. Farming isn't going to shift to a low profit item if you eliminate almonds, pistachio, citrus, etc. from the equation. They'll just quit and subdivide farm land into, wait for it... more housing.

Of course the almond industry would dispute that. It's like saying the cigarette industry disputes, that cigs cause cancer and that nicotine is addictive.

Many almond groves were planted to replace more varied crops, because almonds were considered to be a better investment due to the higher return they provided. Other almond groves were put in by REIT's looking for any way to make a buck by taking advantage of cheap marginal lands that were considered unsuitable for other crops. The story of CA's almond groves is multifaceted. They can't all be painted with the same brushstroke.

[LakersWon310]

I disagree with almost everyone who's posted here regarding CA being just fine and no water scarcity. GIVE ME A BREAK. CA's main rivers are drying up, yet each and every one of you is acting like its no issue. CA is officially going down the toilet.

[LakersWon310]

Originally Posted by wac_432

Norcal/Centcal - No.

Socal:

Coasts:
Agriculture - Probably not. Some crops might not be worth planting during drought years.
Housing - No.

Inland:
Agriculture - Probably not but crop reduction might happen in parts of the SJ valley at times.
Housing - Some small depressed towns might disappear. Major cities won't.

Our coastal town is adequately supplied with potable water, even with the population growing and us being in pretty severe drought. Water rates are elevated, but not all that high. With the present rates, the city has enough money to build a new desalination/reclamation plant to ensure drinking water supply into the future, no matter the weather conditions. If it just never rained ever again, only a moderate rate increase would be necessary to expand the plant to meet all our water needs.

What is actually going to happen is that there will be an El Nino year (or three) and everyone is going to be talking about floods, mudslides and then fires again (due to fuel growth in rainy years), in SoCal.

I actually prefer the drought. Everything is nice and stable when it doesn't rain much. I'd rather pay extra for desal ocean water than have to worry about fires and mudslides. Also the roads fall apart in the rain.

You have to be kidding me. If anything, the Sacramento Valley will be affected the most.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by LakersWon310

I disagree with almost everyone who's posted here regarding CA being just fine and no water scarcity. GIVE ME A BREAK. CA's main rivers are drying up, yet each and every one of you is acting like its no issue. CA is officially going down the toilet.

Hey, watch whom you're painting that that broad brush! I'm not acting as if there were no issue. Neither are a couple of other posters. And look at your poll results; 13 so far have voted for "What, me worry??", while 9 have voted for "Yes" and "maybe".