Water and Power Assignment
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College of the Canyons *
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3328
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
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3
Uploaded by J53467899
Module 3- Water & Power: A California Heist Viewing Guide
Water and Power: A California Heist is available to view on multiple streaming services.
Please watch the film and answer the following questions.
1. What town was without water in 2015? How did residents adjust their lives to live
without water?
Porterville, CA suffered a serious water scarcity that prevented many residents from
having access to dependable, clean water. Residents were encouraged to conserve
water by limiting their water usage as much as possible. This included measures such
as reducing outdoor irrigation, fixing leaks, and using water-efficient appliances.
2. How has the agriculture industry fared during the drought?
The drought that affected Porterville, California, in 2015 had significant impacts on the
local agriculture industry. The most direct impact of the drought was a significant
reduction in available water for irrigation. The lack of water for irrigation led to reduced
yields and even crop losses for many farmers. Some farmers were forced to fallow or
leave fields uncultivated due to the lack of water. Some farmers shifted to drought-
resistant or more water-efficient crops that could better withstand water scarcity.
3. Where does most of the rain in California fall?
In California, the northern shore and coastal mountain ranges get the majority of the
state's precipitation. Northern California is the general term used to describe the area
that receives the most rainfall. The northern coast, the northern portion of the Central
Valley, and the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range are all included in
this region.
4. Where do most of the people in California live?
Most of the people in California live in urban and metropolitan areas along the coast and
in the southern part of the state.
5. What are the Monterrey amendments? Who were the players? (Hint: you can come
back to this question after watching the full documentary)
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States,
Canada, and Mexico was amended in a number of ways under the Monterrey
Amendments, commonly referred to as the Monterrey Protocol. The goal of the 1992–
1994 NAFTA agreement was to create a free trade area between the three nations.
They were created in response to labor and environmental issues brought up in
connection with NAFTA. The changes sought to encourage increased labor and
environmental cooperation and collaboration among the three nations.
6. What is a groundwater bank?
A groundwater bank is a concept and infrastructure intended to store and manage
excess water, usually during times of surplus, for use in the future during periods of
water scarcity. By storing water below in naturally occurring or intentionally built
aquifers, groundwater banking is a tactic used to manage and balance water resources.
7. Who controls 58% of the Kern Water Bank?
Kern Water Bank Authority (KWBA) manages the Kern Water Bank in California.
8. How do the residents of Lost Hills feel about their water?
Depending on their individual experiences and the unique circumstances in their
neighborhood, residents' opinions regarding their water can differ. While some locals
might be content with the availability and quality of their water, others might be worried
about contamination, scarcity, or other problems.
9. Do you drink your tap water? Why or why not?
I personally do not like the way tap water tastes so I typically will not drink my tap water.
We also pay for a water subscription that is delivered to the door for your water
dispenser so I never have to drink tap water.
10. Agriculture makes up ____% of the economy and uses ____% of the water.
2%, 80%
11. What is subsidence?
The term "subsidence" describes the slow settling or sinking of the Earth's surface as a
result of a variety of natural, man-made, and geological events. It may cause the height
of the ground to drop, changing the topography. Subsidence can affect infrastructure,
the environment, and human activity significantly over both local and vast areas.
12. According to the film, why are the big players buying up land in Paso Robles?
The main reasons why the big players are acquiring land in Paso Robles are the lack of
water and the possibility of making money from it. Like many other places, the Paso
Robles region has been dealing with water stress and issues as a result of extended
droughts, excessive groundwater extraction, and rising water needs from a variety of
industries, including urban expansion and agriculture. These major investors perceive a
chance to obtain access to water sources and water rights because they understand
that water is a scarce and precious resource.
13. Is groundwater a sustainable resource?
Depending on how it is utilized, supplied, and managed, groundwater may or may not
be seen as a sustainable resource. Maintaining equilibrium between the rate of
extraction and the rate of natural recharge is essential to sustainable groundwater
management.
14. What is SGMA? When will it be fully implemented?
SGMA stands for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, a California state law
passed in 2014 to address the overuse and depletion of groundwater resources in the
state. These plans have to show a way to reach sustainable groundwater levels over a
20–50 year period, taking into account things like land subsidence, groundwater
recharge, and extraction.
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