A study from University of California at Davis states that the current drought is the third most severe on record and is responsible for the greatest water loss ever to California agriculture.
The state’s agricultural industry is doing well dealing with the drought mainly because of groundwater pumping with some areas doubling their pumping rates over the previous year. However, if these rates continue, the consequences could be dire. California produces all the U.S.-grown tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, almonds, walnuts, grapes, olives, and figs and one quarter of the country’s milk and cream. As a result of the drought, California has lost $1.5 billion or a net loss of 3% of the state’s total agricultural value and has caused a 3.8% loss of agricultural employment. The Central Valley is the worst hit region with projected losses of $810 million or 2.3% of crop value, $203 million in dairy and livestock value and $453 million in pumping costs. California is the only state without a framework for groundwater management and if the drought continues for two more years (it is forecast to last through 2015) groundwater reserves will be used to replace surface water losses and pumping ability will decline with depleted water levels. To read more about the study and the California’s agricultural industry:
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