I’ve written about the atmospheric rivers and cyclone bombs that occurred earlier this year and whether or not the extra water would help California’s chronic drought situation. I also wrote about the aquifers and whether or not the underground water situation would improve. After all that, I certainly didn’t expect California to be the recipient of massive, unrelenting snowstorms and now another atmospheric river, but we are. So will all the extra water received from the extreme weather occurrences during the first months of 2023 help?
The weather events of the beginning of 2023 have been stunning and unexpected. Although the atmospheric rivers, cyclone bombs, extreme snowfall, and now another atmospheric river significantly improve California’s water situation, the question on everyone’s mind is whether or not there will be long-term benefits.
Some of the areas in Southern California have never seen snow before. In some of the smaller towns in the Sierras, the streets haven’t been plowed in days, and some people are stranded without power and supplies because of all the snow. So you’d think the drought conditions certainly must be resolved.
While the atmospheric rivers, cyclone bombs, and snowstorms in early 2023 have certainly brought a much-needed boost of precipitation to California, unfortunately, it will not make much of a dent in solving the state’s ongoing water supply crisis. The extra moisture will provide some relief from the chronic drought conditions that have plagued the region, but it is far from enough to ensure long-term stability.
Furthermore, due to over-extraction and contamination, even this additional precipitation will likely have little impact on already diminishing aquifers. For California’s water supply situation to truly improve, more needs to be done – beyond just waiting for storms and hoping for the best. It is time for policymakers and citizens alike to work together to address the root causes of California’s water woes and create sustainable solutions for a secure long-term future.
Achieving this goal will take commitment from all involved, but by taking action now, we can ensure that our state is well-prepared for whatever comes next – be it atmospheric rivers, cyclone bombs, or even drought. It’s time to come together and ensure California’s water supply stays solid and reliable in the years ahead.
For now, we can celebrate the influx of snow and precipitation that has come with this winter season and be grateful for the respite from drought conditions, which have been such a long-term problem.
References:
According to the California Department of Water Resources, California’s Snowpack Shows Huge Gains from Recent Storms
https://water.ca.gov/News/News-Releases/2023/March-23/March-2023-Snow-Survey
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Copyright © 2019 I Don’t Know All The Answers, Nikki Mastro.
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WOW amazing the snow you have been getting. This year we are about 40 inches under our average. Know California needs the water, don’t think this is the way you want it.
You are so right, Karen. We’ve received more rain and snow this year than we ever expected.