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Growing Concern Over California Water Supply

Though water supply is always an issue for Californians, farmers are scrambling to address water concerns in the face of dry conditions and a federal judge’s recent decision to limit water pumping from the Delta to protect an endangered minnow. Environmentalists believe the Delta smelt population is declining as a result of the pumps responsible for delivering water from the Delta to San Joaquin Valley farms. The ruling by Federal District Court Judge Oliver Wanger, Fresno, limits pumping which could reduce water allocations to as low as 10%.

The ruling also caused sharp increases in the cost of alternative water supplies. With historically high acreage planted to permanent crops, this poses a serious threat to farmers and related businesses.

Source:

Cline, H. (2007, October 12). Minnow-protection ruling leaves water supply even more uncertain. Western Farm Press. Retrieved November 1, 2007, from http://westernfarmpess.com/environment/101207-minnow-protection/index.html