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