Snowpack Causes New Water Worries | News10.net | Sacramento, California | Local News Other editions: Mobile | Text Alerts | RSS | E-Newsletters | Living Green | MomsLikeMe | Sac & Co | Jobs | Make Us Your Homepage All :: Articles :: Events :: Videos more >> Sponsored by: HomeNewsNews HomeLocalNationalWorldGood MorningDTV-conversionMaking Ends MeetPoliticsNews LinksGood News / Good PeopleMost PopularScience & TechnologyLiving GreenLive OnlineLive_Online Archive VideoVideo HomeLive OnlineLive_Online Archive LifeLife HomeHealthTravelCalifornia PostcardFitness TipsHealth Matters MoneyMoney HomeCheap GasMaking End$ MeetWho's HiringEveryday LivingInvesting ResourceMarket Watch TrafficTraffic HomeTraffic MapsTraffic CamerasTravel TimesTraffic ForecastTransit ResourcesTraffic Talk WeatherWeather HomeDopplerWeather 101Weather10.2Weather NotebookAir Quality/Wood Burning Index SportsSports HomeFriday Night FootballNascarSports Blogs EntertainmentEntertainment HomeGames / ContestsThe Game GuysMusic SceneMoviesMumm at the MoviesThe Movie GuyMovie Listings ABC ShowsDate NightReno/TahoeThe Web SurferHoliday GreetingsDTV-Conversion EducationEducation HomeTeacher of the YearTeacher of the MonthStudent ScholarCollege Prep HelpRace and EducationWeather 101 On TVOn TV HomeProgramming GuideSacramento & CompanyDTV-Conversion CommunityCommunity HomeCoats for KidsNews10 EventsPhoto GalleriesBlogsForumsYour VideoPublic ServiceDo Something GoodNews10 Community CalendarTroop Greetings About UsAbout Us HomeBiosJobsContact UsAdvertise With UsInternshipsHoliday Greetings Comment, blog & share photos Log in | Become a member | Search people Snowpack Causes New Water Worries Posted By: Trevor Tamsen 12 hrs ago Read Comments Print Article Email Article Larger Smaller LOS ANGELES - Skiers are enjoying the early winter snows on California's mountains, but down closer to sea level are big worries that the snowfall and its spring runoff won't be enough to relieve two years of drought. Unless the next few months prove to be wet ones, tougher conservation steps and even water rationing from cities to farms could be ahead for the nation's most populous state. The impact could be felt across the country in higher food prices, officials warn, if water shortages reduce production in the 400-mile-long Central Valley where much of the nation's fruit is grown in irrigated fields. "You've got farmers that have to make decisions now about whether to put crops in the ground based on how much water they are going to have," says Susan Sims, chief deputy director of California's Department of Water Resources. California depends on snow that accumulates in the Sierra Nevada for much of its water needs. The spring thaw that melts the snowpack is relied on to replenish reservoirs that are vital to millions of people. The region also takes water from the Colorado River, which runs east of California. Tug of war over water Last spring was the driest on record and, in June, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed the state to be in a drought, speeding transfers of water to areas with the most severe shortages and encouraging conservation efforts. State hydrologists monitor snow on the Sierra and say that although the snowpack is deeper than this time last year, the depth and water content are 70% to 80% of average and below what is needed. Although they hope for more snowfall this month and in February, they are alarmed. "If we were to go into a third summer of dry conditions, it would be pretty tough in California and we probably would see some mandatory water rationing," says Don Strickland, spokesman for the state water department. "Nobody really knows at this point." Water has been the center of epic struggles for longer than California has been a state, producing a system that pumps and pipes vast quantities of water long distances to sustain its population. Today, three-quarters of California's water is produced north of Sacramento, the state capital, and three-quarters is consumed south of there. The effect of the dry spell has been aggravated by court-ordered restrictions on pumping water out of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for human uses to protect dwindling fish populations. Federal courts ordered limits on water exports in December 2007, and last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ordered a continuation of those limits to protect the delta smelt, a small fish listed as a threatened species. The Department of Water Resources said those moves could permanently reduce by up to 50% water deliveries to cities, farms and businesses. "We are trapped in a fiscal system that pits my water needs against their water needs," says Tim Quinn of the Association of California Water Agencies, which represents 447 water systems. Is rationing 'premature'? Maury Roos, chief hydrologist for the state and veteran of 51 years in state government, cautions that it's too soon to tell whether California will have a problem. Snow levels are "not too bad," he says, and he points out that the state is only one month into its three wettest months of December, January and February. "With two-thirds of the rainy season left to go, that might be a little premature" to say rationing will be needed, Roos says. Environmentalists and advocates for wildlife have sought limits on the water diversions. John Beuttler, conservation director for the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, says the state's salmon population is near collapse because there is not enough water to support spawning migrations. This likely will be a second year California's salmon fishing season is closed, he says. "We need water conservation first and foremost by the agriculture community," he says. "We think all users of water in California should treat it as a limited resource." Some California cities have taken steps to restrict water use. Most are voluntary, but Long Beach and Los Angeles have imposed mandatory restrictions, including limiting when lawns can be watered. In Los Angeles, 15 water police officers patrol neighborhoods looking for violators who use sprinklers during restricted day hours, when much of the water is lost to evaporation. Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, said his agency will decide in March whether to impose limited allocations of water on the region's cities, home to 19 million people. "By and large, it means rationing. ... Right now, it's a 50-50 chance we may have to implement the measures in 2009," Kightlinger says. USA Today Copyright 2009 / All Rights Reserved In your voice Read reactions to this story Report item as: (required) X Obscenity/vulgarity Hate speech Personal attack Advertising/Spam Copyright/Plagiarism Other Comment: (optional) KapsTaz wrote: "Today, three-quarters of California's water is produced north of Sacramento, the state capital, and three-quarters is consumed south of there." That pisses me off. What does Southern CA do with all the water they get down there? When are they going to start doing something with the water they get there? Its been said they can make with what they have down there in means of water so it can be done. Now I know its spending but at lease it would be SMART spending now and create less spending and money later... unlike bullet trains that were voted for in the last election!!! Our lakes and water systems would be full here if we were giving away all our water to SoCal. 1/7/2009 10:24 PM PST on news10.net Recommend Report Abuse KapsTaz wrote: We need to quit giving the water away! 1/7/2009 1:47 PM PST on news10.net Recommend Report Abuse DelzLdy wrote: It absolutely infuriates me when I have to hear about the poor southern Californian's who may not have any water, and the farmer's as well! 150 years ago most of the LA area and southern California was DESERT!!!! AND, I have to ask, why would ANYONE plant crops in an area where there isn't enough water to sustain them????? Yeah, I understand about population growth, etc. However, if this is the case, why aren't we populating the North and South Poles as well? Ok; I know I'm going off here, but I get sick and tired of listening to SoCal complaining because we're not giving them enough of OUR water! Maybe if we just kept it to ourselves, it wouldn't be as big an issue - for us!? 1/7/2009 11:51 AM PST on news10.net Recommend (1) Report Abuse Raiderfan56 wrote: "Skiers are enjoying the early winter snows on California's mountains, but down closer to sea level are big worries that the snowfall and its spring runoff won't be enough to relieve two years of drought." Two years of drought? We were told 3 years ago when we supposedly had 300% of run off that we were still behind 10 years worth of "drought." So even if we were to get 500% of run off this year we're still behind and they'll still ration the water. Every year they tell us this knowing there's plenty of water for everyone. 1/7/2009 8:42 AM PST on news10.net Recommend (1) Report Abuse Bookmark and Share News10 Stories and Videos Furl Fark Digg Reddit Del.icio.us Facebook Spurl Google Drudge Y! MyWeb StumbleUpon College Humor The Governor vetoed the legislature's budget plan. Who do you think is to blame for the stalemate? The Governor The Democratic Leadership The Republican Leadership All of the Above Processing your vote . . . Sponsored by: More Headlines BART Shooting Protest Turns Violent New Birthing Center Makes Kaiser Placer's Largest Employer | Governor to Restart Budget Talks | Former Sheriff's Deputy Arrested Again Marysville Postal Worker Busted on Mail Theft | Most Read Stories Most Watched Videos more >>Most Read Stories Screen Siren Alyssa Milano Engaged Restaurant Draws Crowds with 1969 Prices Two Wounded in Officer-Involved Shooting Stores Fear Safety Law Could Shut Their Doors Congratulations Ben And Jen! Rancho Cordova Mini Golf Course Slays Monster Bummer: Man's Bottom Bared in Ski Lift Mishap The FBI Wants You! Governor Vetoes Budget Planmore >>Most Watched Videos Not Guilty Plea in Postal Worker Pilfering New Birthing Center Makes Kaiser Placer's Largest Employer Lodi Cardroom Betting on Change What's Killing California Pelicans? Worknet Working Overtime Governor to Restart Budget Talks Johnson Talks First Month, Inauguration Governor Explains Veto Dealing With Frost Damage Morning Business Report - 01/07/2009 Ads by Pulse 360 Get Listed HereAARP Auto Insurance From The Hartford Over 50? Save $363 on Your Auto Insurance In Minutes w/ The Hartford. AARP.TheHartford.com Drop 15 Pounds Fast! Oprah Ranked it #1 Try the #1 Ranked Celebrity Diet! Click Here - Free Sample Today www.acai-pure.com Globe Life Insurance $1 Buys $50,000 Life Insurance. No Medical Exam, No Waiting Period InsuranceFor1Dollar.com Home | News | Video | Life | Money | Traffic | Weather | Sports | Entertainment | Education | On TV | Community | About UsTerms of Service | EEO | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | About Us | Jobs Copyright ©2009 News10.net. All rights reserved. Users of this site agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy / Privacy Rights.