The series of storms that have struck California have poured water on a state mired in a years-long drought
that's depleted reservoirs, forced officials to plead with residents to conserve water and constrained supplies to vital farmland., with more expected in the coming days. The rain is soaking a state that desperately needs water, even as it takes a devastating human toll. Experts say it will help drought conditions, but it isn't yet clear exactly how much.
Some depleted reservoirs have begun to fill, especially those close to the hard-hit Sacramento region and along parts of the Sierra Nevada. The reservoirs are essential for irrigating the Central Valley, a productive stretch of farmland that grows large amounts of fruits, nuts and grains. The reservoirs also supply water to millions of people living in coastal cities.
So far, this is also one of the best years in decades for snowpack accumulation, according to state officials. Snowpack is its own type of reservoir, storing moisture that ideally melts slowly into reservoirs, supplying residents with water during the drier months of summer and fall. Besides rain, the storms have dumped snow that has contributed to snowpack totals that are more than double the average for this time of year.
The atmospheric rivers aren't striking everywhere. They move around “like a garden hose if you are spraying it across the yard," said David Gochis, an expert in how water affects the weather at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. And the Colorado River, a major source of water for Southern California, has also been stricken by drought that has depleted major reservoirs on that river. The recent storms won't fix that problem.Many farmers in California pump water from underground, with the. Some wells are running dry. It is an entrenched problem and it isn't going to be solved by a short-term series of storms, experts said.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Explainer-Why are migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in record numbers?U.S. President Joe Biden is visiting the U.S.-Mexico border for the first time since he took office in January 2021 on Sunday, ahead of a visit to Mexico and after announcing new measures to reduce border crossings. WHO IS TRYING TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES AT THE BORDER? U.S. Border Patrol made more than 2.2 million arrests at the U.S.-Mexico in the 2022 fiscal year, which ended last September, the most ever recorded.
Baca lebih lajut »
Explainer: Roots of the attack on Brazilian capitalBolsonaro and his lawmaker son Eduardo visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and both attended dinners at the house of Steve Bannon. The longtime Trump ally amplified Bolsonaro’s claims about the elec…
Baca lebih lajut »
Why California is getting slammed with storm after stormWhat's causing this stormy spell?
Baca lebih lajut »
Storm updates: California reservoir rises 36 feet in torrential stormA frontal band with intense heavy rain and powerful winds ripped through the San...
Baca lebih lajut »
California storm leaves over 120,000 still without powerMore than 120,000 homes and businesses were still without power in California early on Monday, according to data from PowerOutage.us, after a massive storm last week that disrupted road travel with flash floods, rock slides and toppled trees.
Baca lebih lajut »
Most intense atmospheric river storm yet slams California with flooding, high windsThe most powerful in a 'relentless parade' of atmospheric rivers is bearing down on California today through Wednesday.
Baca lebih lajut »