US government allots no water to California farmers despite severe drought
The US federal government says it will not deliver any water to farmers in California’s agricultural belt, despite severe water shortages.
This is the fourth time in the last decade that farmers in California did not receive water from the federal government.
Water agencies contract with the federal government for certain amounts of water each year.
In February, the federal government announces how much of those contracts can be fulfilled based on how much water is available. It then updates the allocations throughout the year based on conditions.
Last year, farmers started the year with a 5% allocation from the federal government but ended at 0% as the drought intensified.
This year, the federal government is starting farmers at 0% while water for other purposes, including drinking and industrial uses, is at 25%.
“It’s devastating to the agricultural economy and to those people that rely on it,” said Ernest Conant, regional director for the US Bureau of Reclamation.
He said that this year may turn out to be worse than 2021.
“Anyone who’s looked out the window in the past two months knows that California has not seen any significant rain and snow during what are supposed to be our wettest months of the year,” said Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources.
“While December saw record storms, this type of climate whiplash makes it challenging to forecast conditions ahead,” she added.
More than 66% of California is currently classified in “severe drought” by the US Drought Monitor and most of its reservoirs remain below their historical averages.
The water shortages are expected to worsen if the direly dry conditions continue through March.
Many endangered species of fish – including salmon – have been dying by the thousands because there has not been enough cold water for them to survive throughout the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta.
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