With a population of 39 M people, California is by far the most populous state in the US
With a population of 39 M people, California is by far the most populous state in the US

with Greater Los Angeles being the second-largest urban region in the country. And the water
with Greater Los Angeles being the second-largest urban region in the country. And the water

needs are high, as California has a strong economy, with a with a Gross State Product
needs are high, as California has a strong economy, with a with a Gross State Product

of $3.2 trillion USD in 2019. To better illustrate this figure, it is worth comparing it to
of $3.2 trillion USD in 2019. To better illustrate this figure, it is worth comparing it to

entire nations. California alone would be the fifth largest economy in the world, just
entire nations. California alone would be the fifth largest economy in the world, just

ahead of India. And the economic activities extend across all sectors. Industry and finances,
ahead of India. And the economic activities extend across all sectors. Industry and finances,

media and filmstudios, the information industry in Silicon Valley, trade, as well as agriculture,
media and filmstudios, the information industry in Silicon Valley, trade, as well as agriculture,

which withdraws high amounts of water. California is producing the highest yields in the US.
which withdraws high amounts of water. California is producing the highest yields in the US.

All these factors lead to an enormous demand for water. In total numbers, California is
All these factors lead to an enormous demand for water. In total numbers, California is

the largest consumer of water in the United States. In this video, we want to understand
the largest consumer of water in the United States. In this video, we want to understand

how this supply is maintained and what some future challenges might be.
how this supply is maintained and what some future challenges might be.

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First, let's take a look at Californias geography. Note that this is a map with extremely exaggerated
First, let's take a look at Californias geography. Note that this is a map with extremely exaggerated

topography. There are several significant Mountain Ranges across the state. Northern
topography. There are several significant Mountain Ranges across the state. Northern

California has the Klamath mountains. Along the Pacific Ocean there are the Northern
California has the Klamath mountains. Along the Pacific Ocean there are the Northern

and Southern Coast Ranges. And to the south we find the Transverse Ranges and the Peninsular
and Southern Coast Ranges. And to the south we find the Transverse Ranges and the Peninsular

Ranges. To the east is Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in the state. This
Ranges. To the east is Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range in the state. This

mountainous landscape contrasts with the large flat area that characterises the interior
mountainous landscape contrasts with the large flat area that characterises the interior

of the state, the Central Valley. At the same time, there is the Colorado Desert as well
of the state, the Central Valley. At the same time, there is the Colorado Desert as well

as the driest desert in North America, the Mojave Desert. So geographically, California
as the driest desert in North America, the Mojave Desert. So geographically, California

is a very diverse state. It is home to both the highest point of the contiguous United
is a very diverse state. It is home to both the highest point of the contiguous United

States, Mount Whitney, and the lowest point, Death Valley. And the many mountain ranges
States, Mount Whitney, and the lowest point, Death Valley. And the many mountain ranges

are crucial to the water supply as about 30 percent of California's water comes from Snowpack.
are crucial to the water supply as about 30 percent of California's water comes from Snowpack.

For example, the snowfall in Sierra Nevada supplies large parts of the Central Valley
For example, the snowfall in Sierra Nevada supplies large parts of the Central Valley

with water. The Central Valley consists of the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin
with water. The Central Valley consists of the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin

Valley, named after these two important rivers in the state. With the Sacramento river being
Valley, named after these two important rivers in the state. With the Sacramento river being

the larger source of fresh water as it receives approximately two thirds of northern California's
the larger source of fresh water as it receives approximately two thirds of northern California's

precipitation. These rivers eventually join and flow through the Carquinez Strait into
precipitation. These rivers eventually join and flow through the Carquinez Strait into

the Bay of San Pablo and San Francisco. The rivers delta is an important source of fresh
the Bay of San Pablo and San Francisco. The rivers delta is an important source of fresh

water withdrawal in the state. The Central Valley Project uses a series of dams and artificial
water withdrawal in the state. The Central Valley Project uses a series of dams and artificial

canals to divert both rivers to supply the entire Central Valley. These canals are essentially
canals to divert both rivers to supply the entire Central Valley. These canals are essentially

artificial rivers that help distribute the water. This allows better water management,
artificial rivers that help distribute the water. This allows better water management,

prevention of floods and droughts, and renewable power generation. It even enables a more effective
prevention of floods and droughts, and renewable power generation. It even enables a more effective

use of land, as dams allow large cities to grow close to river valleys without the risk
use of land, as dams allow large cities to grow close to river valleys without the risk

of flood during spring. And thanks to the canals that distribute fresh water for agricultural
of flood during spring. And thanks to the canals that distribute fresh water for agricultural

irrigation in the valley, the dry environment of the San Joaquin Valley, located a little
irrigation in the valley, the dry environment of the San Joaquin Valley, located a little

further south, has been transformed into arable land. But water isn’t just distributed within
further south, has been transformed into arable land. But water isn’t just distributed within

the Central Valley. After all, the supply in the Los Angeles Area and San Diego is a
the Central Valley. After all, the supply in the Los Angeles Area and San Diego is a

particularly big challenge. And nowadays, it is only possible thanks to enormous efforts.
particularly big challenge. And nowadays, it is only possible thanks to enormous efforts.

When it comes to supplying the LA with surface water, 3 projects in particular stand out.
When it comes to supplying the LA with surface water, 3 projects in particular stand out.

The Los Angeles Aqueduct, consists of two separate canals, that tap water from the Owens
The Los Angeles Aqueduct, consists of two separate canals, that tap water from the Owens

River and its tributaries in the Owens Valley and then transports it to Los Angeles. But
River and its tributaries in the Owens Valley and then transports it to Los Angeles. But

diverting this water caused environmental damage. The Owens Lake was deprived of its
diverting this water caused environmental damage. The Owens Lake was deprived of its

tributaries, which led to the Lake drying up. And at times, increased
tributaries, which led to the Lake drying up. And at times, increased

withdrawal and additional canals also threatened water levels at Mono Lake, an important spot
withdrawal and additional canals also threatened water levels at Mono Lake, an important spot

for bird migration. Another large source of water is the Colorado River. Water is transported
for bird migration. Another large source of water is the Colorado River. Water is transported

to cities in Southern California using a series of partly above-ground and partly underground
to cities in Southern California using a series of partly above-ground and partly underground

canals. In certain parts, the water has to be pumped over higher mountain passages using
canals. In certain parts, the water has to be pumped over higher mountain passages using

pumping stations. But the longest such canal project is the California Aqueduct. It transports
pumping stations. But the longest such canal project is the California Aqueduct. It transports

water from Clifton Court Forebay, in the San Joaquin River delta, all the way to the southern
water from Clifton Court Forebay, in the San Joaquin River delta, all the way to the southern

part of the state. Along the way, there are considerable differences in altitude and the
part of the state. Along the way, there are considerable differences in altitude and the

water has to be pumped from many places using a lot of energy, especially over the Tehachapi
water has to be pumped from many places using a lot of energy, especially over the Tehachapi

Mountains that must be crossed on this route. At the Edmonston Pumping Plant, the water
Mountains that must be crossed on this route. At the Edmonston Pumping Plant, the water

is raised an entire 587 meters or 1926 ft. At other places the water drops abruptly.
is raised an entire 587 meters or 1926 ft. At other places the water drops abruptly.

Here, hydropower stations are used to recapture as much energy as possible. But it becomes
Here, hydropower stations are used to recapture as much energy as possible. But it becomes

clear that enormous efforts and costs are necessary to provide for the densely populated
clear that enormous efforts and costs are necessary to provide for the densely populated

cities in Southern California. So it can be said, water from the Sacramento and San Joaquin
cities in Southern California. So it can be said, water from the Sacramento and San Joaquin

river is essential to the state's water supply. And their potential for providing water across
river is essential to the state's water supply. And their potential for providing water across

the state is increased by enormous infrastructure, for example in the Central Valley Project,
the state is increased by enormous infrastructure, for example in the Central Valley Project,

for enabling agriculture, or in the California State Water Project, for the drinking water
for enabling agriculture, or in the California State Water Project, for the drinking water

supply in southern California. Water for this region is taken from the river delta between
supply in southern California. Water for this region is taken from the river delta between

the Sacramento River and the San Joaquin, which is also used for the supply in San Francisco
the Sacramento River and the San Joaquin, which is also used for the supply in San Francisco

and the Silicon Valley. In total, this river delta supplies around 25 million people, two
and the Silicon Valley. In total, this river delta supplies around 25 million people, two

thirds of California's population, with drinking water. Of this, 67% is exported for use in
thirds of California's population, with drinking water. Of this, 67% is exported for use in

the Central Valley Project and 26% goes to the State Water Project. However it is important
the Central Valley Project and 26% goes to the State Water Project. However it is important

that the withdrawal is strictly monitored. If not enough water flows through the delta
that the withdrawal is strictly monitored. If not enough water flows through the delta

into the bay, salty water from the Pacific Ocean threatens to intrude the delta and reduce
into the bay, salty water from the Pacific Ocean threatens to intrude the delta and reduce

water quality. Even in normal years, the water supply in the state is already strained, and
water quality. Even in normal years, the water supply in the state is already strained, and

during droughts the situation gets extremely difficult.. Another important source of water
during droughts the situation gets extremely difficult.. Another important source of water

is groundwater, which usually accounts for about 30 percent of the supply in a normal
is groundwater, which usually accounts for about 30 percent of the supply in a normal

year. But in years of intense drought, this percentage can rise to 60 percent or more,
year. But in years of intense drought, this percentage can rise to 60 percent or more,

a level of depletion that is not considered sustainable. Due to climate change, more extreme
a level of depletion that is not considered sustainable. Due to climate change, more extreme

weather events are to be expected, such as more frequent droughts, as well as extreme
weather events are to be expected, such as more frequent droughts, as well as extreme

precipitation events, which in turn can lead to floods. The 2012 to 2016 drought is considered
precipitation events, which in turn can lead to floods. The 2012 to 2016 drought is considered

one of the most extreme ones in California's history and has brought many farms into crisis.
one of the most extreme ones in California's history and has brought many farms into crisis.

Water supply in modern California is only possible due to enormous efforts and large
Water supply in modern California is only possible due to enormous efforts and large

achievements. While there have been many successes, these projects also cause damage to complex
achievements. While there have been many successes, these projects also cause damage to complex

ecosystems and habitats. And they create water conflicts between communities, as well as
ecosystems and habitats. And they create water conflicts between communities, as well as

between cities and farmers. In addition, many Native American tribal lands have been flooded
between cities and farmers. In addition, many Native American tribal lands have been flooded

in the past in favour of dam projects. Many measures are being taken, in order to use
in the past in favour of dam projects. Many measures are being taken, in order to use

the limited amount of precipitation in the state as efficiently as possible. This includes
the limited amount of precipitation in the state as efficiently as possible. This includes

dams, canals and increased usage of seawater desalination on the one hand and measures
dams, canals and increased usage of seawater desalination on the one hand and measures

to reduce water consumption on the other. Such as water meters in every home, restrictions
to reduce water consumption on the other. Such as water meters in every home, restrictions

on private withdrawal, water recycling, and modern irrigation methods. However, further
on private withdrawal, water recycling, and modern irrigation methods. However, further

improvements in all these areas will be necessary to achieve a sustainable water supply in the state
improvements in all these areas will be necessary to achieve a sustainable water supply in the state

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