California wells run dry as drought depletes groundwater

 California’s Water Crisis

• More than 1,200 wells have run dry statewide, a 50% increase over the same period last year
• The groundwater crisis is most severe in the San Joaquin Valley
• 94% of California is in severe, extreme, or exceptional drought
• California just experienced its three driest years on record

California is facing severe water shortages

• Farmers are pumping more groundwater to irrigate crops
• 64% of wells are at below-normal water levels
• Water shortages are already reducing agricultural production
• An estimated 531,00 acres (215,000 hectares) of farmland went unplanted this year because of a lack of irrigation water

In recent years, the county has seen the rapid expansion of thirsty almond and pistachio orchards that are irrigated by agricultural wells that run deeper than domestic wells.

• "The bigger straw is going to suck the water from right beneath the little straw," said Madeline Harris, a policy manager with the advocacy group Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability.

California's groundwater troubles come as local agencies seek to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed in 2014 to prevent groundwater overpumping during the last drought

• The law requires regional agencies to manage their aquifers sustainably by 2042
• Water experts believe the law will lead to more sustainable groundwater supplies over the next two decades, but the road will be bumpy.

https://krcrtv.com/news/local/california-wells-run-dry-as-drought-depletes-groundwater#