Download - MT 6: CaLIFORNIA gEOLOGY
MT 6: CALIFORNIA GEOLOGYWater Resources
LT 2: California Water Resources• Main Sources of CA Water:
• Precipitation (rain, snow, humidity in atmosphere, sleet)
• Surface Water
• Ground Water
What about the ocean?• Desalination: is a process that removes salt from water
• This doesn’t work in most places because it is really expensive
• Boats have no other option and often use desalination to provide fresh water for crew.
LT 2: California Water Resources• Main Needs of CA Water:
• People
• Crops
Water Problems• 1. The majority of California is desert/semi-desert
• 2. Rain naturally falls in the northern third of California but the need for water is in the south 2-thirds
• 3. Majority of the state does not get rain May-October when it is needed
Water Problems• 4. 35% of rain becomes runoff into lakes and rivers, 65% of rain soaks into the ground or evaporates (we can only use the 35%)
• 5. Over 35 million people live in an area too dry to support them without getting additional water (like us!).
Water Solutions• California aqueduct system was built
• Over 1300 dams and cannels move fresh water from areas where it rains to where people and crops need it
Good things• Snowpack!
• Snow stays frozen at high elevation until hot months where it melts and provides water
• Colorado River aqueduct provides water help to So Cal.
California Water Projects Provides• Water for crops
• Hydroelectricity
• Water for San Fran
• Water for So Cal
California Water Projects• Why do we need to transport water?
• Most precipitation occurs in Northern California and in the mountains of CA.
• We move water through state water projects that use aqueducts, canals, and reservoirs.
California Water ProjectsSupply and Demand
• Supply: We move the water from northern California from where it rains many inches and from the mountains where it snows every winter.
• Demand: We move the water to southern California where there is a dense population (many people) and to central California for agriculture.
Economic Impact• California can grow crops
• People live, work and have business in the dry parts of the state
• This provides jobs and income for Californians
• Water HELPS make us MONEY