Major Rivers, Reservoirs, and Water Sources
California relies greatly on the Sierra Nevada snow pack for water storage but dramatic climate change (global warming) is slowly diminishing the usefulness of this source. Spikes in the climate has caused a decline in snow pack and allows early spring snow melt to occur. This limits the mountains ability to provide adequate water storage to meet California's water supply needs.
The snow pack is a natural reservoir that holds approximately half of the storage amount of California's major human-made reservoirs. If early spring snow melt continues to occur we will experience dry conditions and have a low amount of water for the upcoming season.
The snow pack is a natural reservoir that holds approximately half of the storage amount of California's major human-made reservoirs. If early spring snow melt continues to occur we will experience dry conditions and have a low amount of water for the upcoming season.
Another major water source California uses is the Colorado River. The Colorado River accounts for approximately 50% of Southern California's water supply. The Colorado River is divided between Mexico and seven U.S. states including; Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, and California. Subsequently the river has experienced a major decrease in water storage. Two of the rivers largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, will soon drop to 45% in available storage. Last year was the rivers fifth driest year in 100 years and 2013 is predicted to be its fourth.
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is where two of California's largest rivers meet. The State Water Project uses water from this delta to supply adequate irrigation to California's farmlands and drinking water to over 22 million of California's public. The State Water Project provides water to areas such as the Bay Area, the Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley, Silicon Valley, and inevitably Southern California. This delta just as the other sources described above is being highly impacted by the water being extracted for human use. This is very alarming because the delta is not only used to boost California's water supply but is also home to a large amount of wildlife. It serves as a path to allow salmon to travel to the pacific ocean and carries cargo on ships heading to the port. If the water levels in the delta continue to decline California's economy ecosystem will too.