We have had astonishing rain storms this season. Contrary to last year, which was supposed to have seen record setting rain, but was the driest since the drought began, La Nina seems to have decided that it was time for the women to take over! Southern California is well on it's way to double our usual rainfall (generally speaking, between 13" and 15"), if this weather pattern continues. In Northern California, the snow pack is already at 180% of normal - with Mammoth promising to keep the ski lifts open until the 4th of July.
So, the drought must be over, right?! Since I have been teaching at Niemes Elementary School, I have emphasized the need to save water, and most of the students are now very familiar with the word "drought". I always say that if you're upset at the high cost of gasoline, wait till the price of water keeps going up. I find, however, that not only students, but adults as well, need a little more information to understand why we would need YEARS of above-average precipitation to truly end the drought.
There are a couple things in play here. How is the rain arriving, and where does our water come from? The first, is pretty simple - if it is raining at 1" an hour, the rain comes too fast and ends up rushing down to the ocean, or down the hill with mud and trees. Much of our rain this season is not a gentle one, but rather heavy for extended periods of time. Then, because it has been arriving so frequently, our thirsty soil is now full and is having a hard time absorbing the extra water easily.
The second thing is our imported water. The vast majority of Southern California water comes from the State Water Project (Northern California reservoirs fed by snowmelt) , while 35 to 40 percent comes from groundwater in giant underground aquifers. Local stormwater is diverted into spreading areas, so that the water can percolate into the soil and recharge the aquifers. Our groundwater reserves are currently at a 55 year low, with the San Gabriel Basin dropping 75' over the last 10 years. When we do not get enough rain percolating into the soil, we have to recharge the aquifers with imported water - an expensive proposition. Luckily the Water Replenishment District of Southern California monitors the amount of groundwater pumped out. In the unmonitored Central Valley, so much water has been pumped out that the Valley floor is sinking by feet in places. This is called subsidence.
So, the answer is, the drought is sort of over. But, whether it is over this year, or next, or never, the important thing is to change our approach to how we use our natural resources. They are finite. In our disposable, short-lived, planned obsolence culture, we have often lost respect and appreciation for our earth and what it provides for us. The way in which we value our environment, how we utilize it, is reflected in the way we operate in society. Respect for our world translates into respect for each other. So, no matter how much it is raining, please don't waste water!!!!