California Water Woes
Losin’ it

© 2000 Streamline Publications

COLORADO RIVER WATER

Nevada and Arizona have gained new rights that will affect the amount of Colorado River water that California receives. [See “Ignoring Limits of Water Use, Part I and Part II” and “Water Shortages” here on the Albright web site—Best of LEAF-let—or in March/April and May/June 1998 and January/February 1999, respectively, printed LEAF-let.]

Colorado River water was apportioned early in this century among western states and Mexico. The Arizona and Nevada shares were mostly unused because populations were small and—at least in Arizona’s case—transportation of the water from its source to population centers was a problem. The water that was excess to the states’ immediate needs was allowed to be used by downstream states in addition to their allotments. In practical terms that meant that in addition to its own share, California’s larger population and irrigation needs were supplemented with unclaimed Nevada and Arizona river rights.

The Government’s Voice

In October 1999, Bruce Babbitt, U.S. Interior Secretary and the legal master of the river, decreed that management of the Colorado River’s flow would change. Upstream states, whose needs still have not reached their allotment amount, would be allowed to bank the difference.

That will have a significant and immediate impact on the supplies that the Metropolitan Water District has come to rely on—the 800,000 acre feet from the Colorado that has for decades encouraged and supported California’s burgeoning growth in the south.

OWENS VALLEY—MONO LAKE

In 1913 the Los Angeles Aqueduct began supplying water to the city, spurring growth in the San Fernando Valley. The Owens Valley dried up as its traditional source of water—Eastern Sierra annual runoff—was diverted to the southern population. Yet, by the late 1920s it became apparent that this was still not enough water and plans were laid to acquire land and water rights that would sidetrack Mono Lake replenishment water to the aqueduct for transport south. Water diversion began in 1940. In 1941 the lake began to get smaller. The annual loss of half of the water that would have kept the lake at a stable level began and continued for 30 years.

In 1970 the southward flow was increased to double and the lake’s depth began a rapid decline—up to a few feet a year. The ecological changes were dramatic. Salinity increased, wildlife habitats were destroyed and the eerie tufa towers—natural calcium carbonate constructions—became visible as water receded.

The lawsuits began with the National Audubon Society. Additional suits and LA Department of Water and Power countersuits made their way through the courts. Meanwhile, a few wet years provided more water than the DWP could siphon off. The streams began to flow again and fish reappeared. The number of defenders interested in all manner of ecological preservation increased.

By this time, Mono Lake had a water line lowered by 40 feet.

In response to the consolidation of the lawsuits and the court’s request for a recommendation, the state Water Resources Control Board devised a plan that would address the interests of all, and particularly the lake and its inhabitants.

DWP has been forced to reduce its water take and the lake has recently risen 10 feet. Once the newly established water line target level is reached water exports may only include that which is not needed to maintain the lake.

The Response

Far from being a death knell for Los Angeles, the reduced water flow from the lake has been more than offset by conservation and water-use efficiencies.

Whether these strategies will be enough to deal with Colorado River losses and other-source shortfalls while the population achieves projected increases remains to be seen. As a finite resource, the lack of water may itself be the limiting factor in growth prognostications. Without water to support a larger population and the housing and industry it needs—sustained growth is unlikely.

Regardless, California water will require intelligent management and innovative strategies in the new century.

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