There are two different sources for California’s water: groundwater and surface water. Groundwater is found underground in pores and spaces between the rocks and soil, stored as aquifers. Surface water, however, makes up all of the water that runs into the rivers, lakes, and reservoirs from precipitation. Most of the precipitation in California falls in winter, as rain and snow. However, most of this precipitation is received in the northern part of California, rather than the Southern California drier areas. Specifically, 75% of California’s water is in the northern ⅓ of the state, with 80% of urban & agricultural water demands in the southern ⅔ of the state. This means that California’s water requires movement in its system.

California is called the most hydrologically altered landmass on the planet- with huge developments in its water resources. Reservoirs store huge amounts of water, wetlands converted to farmlands, and dams and levees built. All this development has made California into the major agricultural producer it is, with the eighth largest economy in the world. In order to support this 5.68 million acres of farmland, as well as California’s huge population of 39 million, water indeed needs to be moved to meet the needs of life! Dams, reservoirs, aqueducts, and canals make the delivery of water possible.

So, where does California’s water come from, before it reaches these canals, aqueducts, and other developments? During winter, snow falls in northern California and the Sierra Nevada mountains on the eastern California border. Snow “stores” the water until the spring, where the snow melts and the water “runs off” into streams, rivers, and goes towards the ocean; or percolates into the groundwater supply. The water runs through the “heart” of California’s water system, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, finding its way to people and/or the sea.

Especially with current droughts, managing water resources is increasingly important for our futures.. We should pay attention to where our water comes from, and act to protect it. There is much work to be done, to manage our water needs and uses, but also to protect the fish, wildlife, and natural environment. As we modernize our water system to increase water supply, we still pay attention to impacts to our fellow forms of life. Water supports life, water is life.

References used: 

https://water.ca.gov/water-basics/the-california-water-system

https://www.watereducation.org/photo-gallery/california-water-101