There May Be Hope in This Drought

I was down in San Diego for my nephew's graduation this past weekend. I had heard our Southern California neighbors were unaware of the drought. I was pleasantly surprised to find at least some awareness of how serious our water situation is.

Some of Mom's neighbors are taking extreme measures and completely abandoning their lawns. Years ago many converted to low water use yards.

(In this picture the lawn in farthest yard has been cut off. The yard in the front has been beautifully re-done.)

There was report on the San Diego news last night about a family in Madera Ranchos and the problems they are having with people stealing their water. The reporters used the story to remind everyone about how serious the drought really is.
   Today's an Diego Union had a report that mentioned pre-1914 water rights. That is getting pretty deep into the policy weeds.

I was asked last winter if I thought this drought would bring any real and lasting change. I said, this may be cruel, but there won't be any change until more people are hurt. We are not going to get any real and lasting change while the whole problem is balanced on the necks of the farmers.

So, the drought is bad.
How bad is it?
It is so bad even our neighbors in Southern California are paying attention. Ba Dump Bump.

It has not always been that way. During the 1986-1993 drought there were immediate changes Northern California residential water users. In the last year of the drought there was a request of Southern Californians for a voluntary 10% cut back and they protested like it was the end of the world. By that point we were down to 25% allotments on our farm.

So, the drought is bad.
How bad is it?
It is so bad even our neighbors in Southern California are starting to pay attention. And, that is a good thing because we really are all in this together. We are not going to get good solutions from our politicians as long as we are divided.

I hope you all have a great week.

P