California, as well as other states, is currently facing a water crisis. But more than the southwestern states, for example, it faces the compounding problems of dense population, vital agricultural interests, and environmental degradation. As manifested by the hotly debated $11.1 billion dollar water bill that will be on next November’s ballot, our state faces critical issues regarding the need to supply clean water fairly for an increasing human population and often competing interests.
In spring of 2010, Dr. David Baggett will be teaching a course that is directly focused on the issue of water in California. “California Water” (ENSCI 110) a three-unit Friday morning class, will be an interdisciplinary examination of California’s water use and management with a historical emphasis on the politics and conflict arising from water scarcity.
While the course has been taught for a number of years, it may in part be the growing public awareness of the water crisis that has caused class registration to fill up well in advance of the pre-enrollment period. The class is open to both agriculture and other majors and satisfies a general education requirement in the sciences, and interdisciplinary and social science requirements for transfer.
“We don’t take it serious[ly],” said Dr. Baggett, discussing how people take water for granted. “Water is the system and is in a critical status.”
According to Dr. Baggett, California is in its fourth drought year and will enter its fifth year with in 2010. To some degree this phenomenon is cyclical: every seven to eight years, California gets less rain; some years are worse than others, but in 2009 experts already know that the state will see only half of normal rainfall.
The Central Valley is the agricultural heart of California, producing over 25% of the food grown in the United States and 50% of the nuts. With heavy drought seasons, irrigation districts set new standards in water policies, making it harder for farmers to water their crops—when the crops are not properly watered, food prices rise due to the diminished harvest. At the same time, the state’s population is expected to climb to 80 million by the year 2050.
In addition to the classroom lectures, students in “California Water” will go on field trips to local rivers and dams such as the water treatment plant in Modesto, Lake Don Pedro, surrounding lakes and rivers, and possibly the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta.
“Water is scarce, but it is the key to the Central Valley,” said Dr. Baggett.
Dr. Baggett says water is the main element of our economy because if people are restricted in watering crops, then the farmers will not be paid or make any money.
“It is like a chain reaction,” said Dr. Baggett. “[Without water] farmers would find themselves with little or no work and necessities in order to maintain and sustain the agriculture industry.”
This, of course, is an agro-centric view.
People whose livelihood depends on the fishing industry and related enterprises have presented to the state legislature studies demonstrating the need to have certain amounts of fresh water flowing through the Valley’s rivers and streams in order for the fish – particularly salmon - to survive. Agricultural interests in the southern part of the Central Valley are placing claims on that water and seeking to have more water diverted from the north to irrigate their fields. Such competing claims on limited and diminishing water resources illustrate just how complex the water issues are.
Conservation is one way that limited water resources can be extended. Modestans, sharing the bountiful water agreements that local agriculture has enjoyed, have long been accustomed to an unlimited and unmetered supply of water for their households. But effective in January 2010, Modesto residents will find that their water will be metered just like electricity to promote water conservation. Modesto Irrigation District has recently sent out pamphlets to many neighborhoods informing of how the meters would help the drought crisis. Many residents have already had meters installed in their homes, and have started paying for the usage of water.
The City of Modesto has already take action with the drought by shutting down the restrooms in parks, and will no longer water the landscaping in parks nor maintain them. According to the City of Modesto, this will save the city $200,000 per year. The potential impact of not watering on the health of the trees and plantings in the parks, and on the communities that use these parks, has not specifically been addressed.
The Pirates' Log > Campus Spyglass
Water Course
Published: Friday, November 20, 2009
Updated: Friday, November 20, 2009
 "Photo: N/A")
Be the first to comment on this article!