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MT 6: CaLIFORNIA gEOLOGY. Water Resources. LT 2 : California Water Resources. Main Sources of CA Water: Precipitation (rain, snow, humidity in atmosphere, sleet) Surface Water Ground Water. What about the ocean?. Desalination: is a process that removes salt from water
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MT 6: CaLIFORNIAgEOLOGY Water Resources
LT 2: California Water Resources • Main Sources of CA Water: • Precipitation (rain, snow, humidity in atmosphere, sleet) • Surface Water • Ground Water
What about the ocean? • Desalination: is a process that removes salt from water • This doesn’t work in most places because it is really expensive • Boats have no other option and often use desalination to provide fresh water for crew.
LT 2: California Water Resources • Main Needs of CA Water: • People • Crops
Water Problems • 1. The majority of California is desert/semi-desert • 2. Rain naturally falls in the northern third of California but the need for water is in the south 2-thirds • 3. Majority of the state does not get rain May-October when it is needed
Water Problems • 4. 35% of rain becomes runoff into lakes and rivers, 65% of rain soaks into the ground or evaporates (we can only use the 35%) • 5. Over 35 million people live in an area too dry to support them without getting additional water (like us!).
Water Solutions • California aqueduct system was built • Over 1300 dams and cannels move fresh water from areas where it rains to where people and crops need it
Good things • Snowpack! • Snow stays frozen at high elevation until hot months where it melts and provides water • Colorado River aqueduct provides water help to So Cal.
California Water Projects Provides • Water for crops • Hydroelectricity • Water for San Fran • Water for So Cal
California Water Projects • Why do we need to transport water? • Most precipitation occurs in Northern California and in the mountains of CA. • We move water through state water projects that use aqueducts, canals, and reservoirs.
California Water ProjectsSupply and Demand • Supply: We move the water from northern California from where it rains many inches and from the mountains where it snows every winter. • Demand: We move the water to southern California where there is a dense population (many people) and to central California for agriculture.
Economic Impact • California can grow crops • People live, work and have business in the dry parts of the state • This provides jobs and income for Californians • Water HELPS make us MONEY