California Drought: Causes, Impacts, and Government Response

What Is Drought and Why Does It Occur

The phenomenon of drought is regarded as an inescapable, cyclic hazard, and its build-up is gradual. The quantity of stream flow and precipitation, or the degree of deficiency in groundwater that may cause drought in any given area, might not have the same consequences in another area. This is because drought is dependent on the quantity and type of water required, as well as the alternative water supplies found within a region during any given time period. While the development of drought has already had significant impacts in the 21st century, it may now also be turning increasingly frequent. Drought cases across the world have increased, caused possibly by technological advancements in food production and shelter techniques, and in basic service provision — leading to massive food production and human settlement concentrations that are almost reaching or surpassing the carrying capacities of natural resource sources (Woo 129). Prior to mitigating its impacts, one must first identify its onset. Longer-term weather forecasts have yet to succeed in this regard, and have been further obstructed by recent increased weather variability. Thus, focus has shifted to establishing drought indexes, since drought thresholds help identify the onset of drought conditions.

Causes of Drought in California

Drought is a common occurrence in the state of California, resulting in damages of up to several billion dollars in a single drought year and affecting different stakeholders across the state. Changes in climate are associated with the state's drought crisis through two primary mechanisms: (i) increasing temperatures and (ii) alterations to atmospheric patterns that contribute to diminishing rainfall. Global warming, to which human emissions contribute significantly, is said to intensify California droughts by 15–20%. Since 2011, four consecutive failed rainy seasons have contributed to acute moisture deficits in the state, depleting groundwater and decreasing agricultural productivity (Seager 7015). California's ongoing drought situation has heavily burdened statewide water resources and agriculture, further aggravated by simultaneously occurring extreme high temperatures (Lingyin 111).

Impacts of Drought in California

Normally, the state of California acquires the majority of its freshwater supply from a few large autumn and winter storms, which fill lowland water reservoirs and deposit large quantities of snow onto the Sierra Nevada mountain range, where frozen water is released slowly during the spring melt. This small yet valuable number of storms provides sufficient water for the state's several million inhabitants — for drinking, bathing, flushing toilets, filling swimming pools, washing cars, and watering lawns. These storms also aid oil companies in hydraulic fracturing, farmers in growing crops, and golf courses in remaining green. In short, they sustain the remarkable hydrologic civilization of California, perched between ocean and desert.

Californians typically use between 150 and 200 gallons (approximately 568 to 757 liters) of water per day — roughly five times the amount used by residents of sun-parched regions. However, the last four years have proved difficult for Californians, with the failure of the large rain-and-snowfall events on which the state so heavily depends. Water utilities across the U.S., and especially in California, have faced pressure to increase revenue by selling more water. More than 71% of California has been experiencing extreme drought conditions, while 46% is suffering from exceptional drought — the most severe category. This intense drought has strained freshwater supplies and contributed to wildfires across many areas of the state. Despite the broader economic recovery from the 2008 collapse, UC Davis researchers estimated in a July 2014 report that drought would lead to the loss of 17,000 part-time and seasonal jobs in California (Seager 7010).

Conclusion

Residents of arid regions are more accustomed to the possibility of drought than are inhabitants of humid regions. Drought hazard adjustments include: (1) cause modification — such as weather modification; (2) hazard modification — including water storage, groundwater use, desalination, inter-basin transfer, wastewater recycling, and emergency supplies; and (3) loss potential modification — achieved through increased accuracy in allocation and monitoring via pricing, leak repair, metering, and water-recycling and water-saving equipment (Woo 132). Efficient water use is a critical element of water supply and resource management (Rodriguez 8).

In the long run, sustained population growth and the challenge of developing new viable water sources will require responsible stewardship of existing resources. Water districts must continue promoting efficient water use and carefully developing long-term demand forecasts as part of planning efforts. More equitable water-sharing is needed, and governments must guarantee access through public, non-profit service delivery. Across the state, water should be declared a public trust — to be managed and protected for the benefit of the public (Deister 51). This involves prioritizing access to limited supplies, particularly groundwater, and prohibiting private control or ownership of water resources. Effective water conservation policy and infrastructure investment are essential to ensuring that future generations inherit a managed and protected common resource. In summary, water must be recognized as the common heritage of humanity and of future generations.