Total California water storage levels are near their lowest in a decade, risking unsustainable groundwater depletion if the drought persists, researchers say. Using data from NASA's GRACE satellite, a study led by Jay Famiglietti at the University of California, Irvine, found that as of November, total water storage in the state's river basins -- the combination of all of the snow, surface water, soil moisture and groundwater -- had declined to its lowest point in nearly a decade. Water losses between November 2011 and November 2013 -- the early phase of the current drought -- were particularly steep, researchers said in a university release Monday. "That's the steepest decline in total water storage that we've seen in California since the GRACE mission was launched in 2002," Famiglietti said. California Gov. Jerry Brown recently declared a drought emergency. The research focused on the Sacramento and San Joaquin River basins -- the state's two largest -- and the source of most its water. The region also encompasses the Central Valley, the most productive agriculture region in the country, which depends entirely on the surface and groundwater resources within the river basins to meet its irrigation needs and to produce food for the nation. The ongoing drought represents a growing threat to groundwater supplies in the Central Valley, typically viewed as a strategic reserve that supplements sparse surface water supplies in times of scarcity. Steep declines in groundwater storage are typical during droughts, the researchers said. If the drought persists, "Central Valley groundwater levels will fall to all-time lows," Famiglietti said.
GMT 10:54 2018 Sunday ,02 December
Egypt wins membership of World Water Council board of governorsGMT 13:57 2018 Thursday ,29 November
UN weather agency: 2018 is fourth hottest year on recordGMT 07:52 2018 Thursday ,15 November
Massive meteorite crater discovered under Greenland ice-sheetGMT 14:25 2018 Sunday ,28 October
Indonesia quake losses soar to 1.2 billion dollarsGMT 07:44 2018 Wednesday ,24 October
Hurricane Willa gathers speed on way to Mexico's coastGMT 09:11 2018 Tuesday ,23 October
Sri Lanka, Germany top Lonely Planet's destination list for in 2019GMT 19:48 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Oil slick off China coast trebles in sizeGMT 13:38 2018 Sunday ,21 January
Spotted hyena returns to Gabon park after 20 yearsMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor