Surface Water Shortage

Taylor Hillman Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Field & Row Crops, Forage Crops, General, Grain, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree, nut & vine crops, Water

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There are more hard times ahead when it comes to the agriculture water supplies in California. The State Water Resources Control Board issues a notice of surface water shortage. Sabrina Hill reports.
Click to open or download audio report

A discouraging notice of surface water shortage from the State Water Resources Control Board. The notice points out that for the past two years, much of the state has had record dry and warm conditions. In fact, in the first five months of 2013, the combined total precipitation was the least in about 90 years of record.

The notices goes on to say “In view of the current hydrologic situation, water in the fall for uses such as planting winter crops may only be available to the most senior water right holders.

For growers whose water rights are limited due to the shortage, the notice gives some tips such as limit future planned double cropping, use available alternative water supplies, and adjust planted acreage to the projected water supply.

They offer several more tips. To see the notice, click here.