California Water Crisis

Ag Alert Coverage

November 11, 2009

• As El Niño grows stronger, so does hope for wet winter

October 28, 2009

• Legislature starts hearings on key water policy bill

October 21, 2009

• Panel to advocate for streamlining water transfers

October 14, 2009

• Governor calls special legislative session on water

October 7, 2009

• Efficiency helps farmers cope with shortage
• Science academy to review stresses affecting the delta
• Farmers express mixed reactions on dam removal

September 16, 2009

• Water bills come up short; special session to follow?
• Commentary: Water solution remains top Farm Bureau priority

September 9, 2009

• Governor says state is short of both water and patience
• Commentary: Cal Poly water expert offers an Rx for the delta

September 2, 2009

• Pressure builds on Washington for water action
• Bills won't improve water reliability, organizations say

August 26, 2009

• Farm groups say bills won't solve water problems

August 19, 2009

• Severe water shortages draw renewed focus

August 5, 2009

• Farmers support local communities with food donations
• Lower hay prices help ranchers cope with drought impact

July 22, 2009

• Unusual process sends state water bills to committee
• Editorial: Liver and onions and California water

July 15, 2009

• Farm leader urges economic stimulus for rural regions

July 8, 2009

• Rallies urge action to solve state's water shortages
• Damage totals mount from lack of farm water

June 24, 2009

• Governor directs more aid to state's water-short areas
• From the Fields Farmers from around the state were asked about their individual water situations during a break in the California Farm Bureau Federation Water Advisory Committee meeting in Sacramento.

June 10, 2009

• Biological opinion for salmon adds to water worries

Apr. 22, 2009

• Thousands rally for water supply solutions

Apr. 8, 2009

• House committee reviews state's drought crisis

Mar. 25, 2009

• Updated allocations show severe water shortages will remain
• Frost protection could be curtailed to benefit salmon and steelhead

Mar. 18, 2009

• Legislators introduce five different bonds addressing water needs
• Klamath Basin farmers may see delay in irrigation season
• Water users file third suit on water cuts for smelt

Mar. 11, 2009

• In an unusual step, state board warns water-right holders
• Tree fruit and nut irrigation is a matter of survival

Mar. 4, 2009

• Lack of water leads to more land fallowing
• Governor orders state to address drought emergency

Feb. 25, 2009

• Likelihood of no water alarms CVP farmers
• Updated UC report shows water cuts will cause severe harm

Feb. 18, 2009

• Farmers constantly seek more 'crop per drop'

Feb. 11, 2009

• Uncertainties cloud processing tomato outlook for 2009
• Cattle ranchers deal with weather and market forces
• Speakers seek common ground on water issues

Feb. 4, 2009

• Snow surveyors quantify the depth of California's drought

Jan. 28, 2009

• Dry January worsens state's water shortages
• Water-related job losses could total 40,000+, UC estimates
• Commentary: Widely publicized water-conservation report drew incorrect conclusions

Dec. 24, 2008

• Delta issues hold key to future water supply reliability

Nov. 5, 2008

• Despite rains, water outlook remains grim

Oct. 15, 2008

• New water year brings a grim picture

Sept. 17, 2008

• Drought, water shortages force ranchers to downsize
• Farmers prepare for termination of water program

Sept. 10, 2008

• Dry times put extra focus on groundwater
• Commentary: California must continue to seek solutions to water crisis

Sept. 3, 2008

• Shortage of water forces tough decisions

Aug. 27, 2008

• 'Wet' counties are running dry, too

Aug. 20, 2008

• Water shortages threaten farms' future
• Farm employees press for reliable water supplies

Aug. 13, 2008

• Stumped trees leave a stark reminder of water shortages

Aug. 6, 2008

• Farmworkers rally for water solutions

July 23, 2008

• Flood of plans muddies water supply solution
• Court finds harm to salmon, sets remedies hearings
• Experts warn California faces water catastrophe

July 16, 2008

• Commentary: Farm Bureau is fighting for your water on every front

California Water Crisis Series

Part 1 - June 18, 2008

• California's water future: Crops wither--along with the water supply
• Federal salmon trial continues in Fresno
• CFBF conducts Water Shortage Impact Survey
• From the Fields: Farmers discuss water supply restrictions

Part 2 - June 25, 2008

• California's water quality: Farmers take active role in protecting environment
• Imperial farmers deal with similar water challenges
• Dairy producers have their own water quality issues
• Cut costs of pumping water by improving efficiency
• From the Fields: Farmers talk about water quality and water supplies

Part 3 - July 9, 2008

• Irrigation technology: Smart water solutions for state's farmers
• All water is not the same
• CFBF flooded with water survey responses, but more sought
• From the Fields: Farmers discuss irrigation management

Additional Resources

News Releases

• Farm leader sees real progress in water legislation (November 4, 2009)
• USDA: 21 counties designated as primary disaster areas (Sept. 22, 2009)
• Farm leader urges economic stimulus for rural communities (July 8, 2009)
• Farm Bureau responds to governor's action on state water shortage (February 27, 2009)
• Farm leader urges 'immediate, decisive' response to water crisis (February 20, 2009 )
• Farmers: Efficiency is one answer, not the answer (September 8, 2008)
• Farm Bureau: Bipartisan water proposal represents a milestone (July 10, 2008)
• Farm Bureau president applauds governor's action on water (June 12, 2008)
• Farm Bureau sees governor's drought declaration as a 'wake-up call' (June 4, 2008)

Statements

• CFBF statement to Department of the Interior public meeting: California water crisis (September 2009, PDF, 17 KB)
• CFBF statement to House Water and Power Subcommittee: Drought and water supply (July 2008, PDF, 68 KB)

Reports

• University of California: Economic Impacts of Reductions in Delta Exports on Central Valley Agriculture (PDF)

Videos

Broken Harvest II, produced by California Farm Bureau Federation

NBC Nightly News - Feb. 22, 2009