California History ( 1 page )
California Water Discussion: ( 1 page )
According to legend, Mark Twain supposedly wrote, “God gave California plenty of whiskey, but just enough water to fight over.”
Chapter two talks quite a bit about water and its importance. Anyone who has lived here for any length of time knows that water issues are no joke. The state averages approximately 21-24 inches of precipitation per year. 75% of that occurs in the northern 1/3 of California. However, 80% of the water demand is in the southern 2/3 of the state. Droughts are a constant threat and scary reality.
Answer the following questions:
1. Give a summary of chapter 2’s sections on water.(2.5 pages of book are attached)
2. Given the demands of southern California for water, and the lack of it, how could (has) this become a social and political issue? Twain’s quote is a good example.
3. Hawaii is the wettest state. It averages 57 inches of precipitation per year. It has a population of 1.4 million. However, California averages 21-24 inches but has the nation’s largest population at 39.5 million! If you were “in charge,” how would you “fix” it? Please be realistic.
Cite any sources you use.