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Strawberries, Soils and Water

CALIFORNIA WATER

California’s water projects were developed early in the state’s history. Canals and dams were built to convey the water for farm land and cities. Later larger dams, aqueducts, and pumping plants were constructed and developed into three major projects -- Central Valley project, the State Water project, and the Colorado River Aqueduct system. Other smaller water projects have also been developed.

The water supply in California is generally adequate. However, during drought years some shortages can occur. Distribution of the water supplies varies geographically and seasonally. Most precipitation occurs during the winter months in the northern part of the state, while the highest water demand is during the summer months in Southern California. Available surface water supply totals 78 million acre-feet, which includes the out-of-state supplies from the Colorado and Klamath rivers.

About 30 percent of California’s urban and agricultural water is pumped from the ground water. During drought years, when surface supplies are reduced, ground water is a higher percentage.

The applied water demand for an acre of land in crops or houses is similar for a low housing density of 3-4 houses per acre. However, if the house density increases to 5-6 houses per acre, the urban demand is higher than crop requirements. A typical family of four uses one acre-foot of water per year.

The public is the ultimate user of water since they consume the food and fiber produced by agriculture water.

When you calculate the water required to produce food and fiber, the amount of water used by the urban population is high. The table on water use for a sample menu shows a total of 894.1 gallons of water used per person per day for food.