California's Water Supply Crisis

The State is currently dealing with a huge water supply crisis. The causes of the crisis are both natural and regulatory. While Foothill’s water supply will not be critically short immediately or in the next few months, the problem is real and will be a long-term situation. Please read on for more background on this situation.

First, the 2006-07 local rainfall was the lowest in recorded history – just three inches compared to Southern California’s average of 15 inches. When local rainfall drops, local groundwater supply also decreases.

Second, the Colorado River is in its seventh year of drought. Storage conditions at Lake Mead and Lake Powell are both at 50% of normal. 

These first two supply impacts are from natural causes. Recent regulatory impacts on the State Water Project (SWP) have had even more impact on the region’s water supply.

The State Water Project is a huge feat of human engineering. It is the nation's largest state-built water and power development and conveyance system. The SWP was planned, designed, constructed and is now operated and maintained by the California Department of Water Resources. This unique facility provides water supplies for 23 million Californians and 755,000 acres of irrigated farmland.

The State Water Projects connects two rivers at the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Freshwater from the rivers mingles with saltwater from the Pacific Ocean, creating the West Coast’s largest estuary. The Delta is the hub of the State’s water distribution system. About two-thirds of all Californians and millions of acres of irrigated farmland rely on the Delta for water from the State Water Project.

Unfortunately, the pumps that run in the Delta have an adverse impact on a fish called the Delta Smelt. In August 2007, hearings in Federal Court began to hear testimony from various interest groups, including environmental agencies, State and Federal Agencies, and the State Water Project contractors. A written opinion is due in late October 2007 regarding pumping at the SWP. Pumping reductions will likely take effect in late December 2007.