California Drought

[TomSeller]

I don't live in California, but I think it is an exceptional place with a heck of a lot of nice people that do live there. Stay dry.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Thank you. There are a h#ll of a lot of us here who also dislike the politics.

Count me in. I have nothing holding me here but the love of the land and the kindred spirit of neighbors that seem to have the same spirit of independence. The politics in Kalifornia isn't working, and when enough empty promises are shown for what they are, maybe things will start to swing the other way. In the mean time much of the state doesn't feel any obligation to be led by the nose when the idiots in Sacramento indulge in episodes of financial and moral fantasy.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Same situation here in MD, very pretty in the West with the mountains, but politics here are terrible. Just gotta make the best out of it.

 

[California]

In California and I assume everywhere, anyone elected to public office represents an interest group that paid to get that person elected. In many cases a candidate has several years of calculated, supported 'grooming' before they reach statewide office. Follow the money... and then the reasoning behind incomprehensible policy will become evident.

Let's not get into specifics and get this thread banned.

 

[downsizingnow48]

"Follow the money" good advice. I got interested in the Don Pedro dam - so did some reading. It turns out that the very first two irrigation districts in California were on the Tuolumne River established 1887. Turlock Irrigation District and Modesto Irrigation District. In the 1880's local farmers wanted to organize for irrigation but were frustrated by existing laws. So they elected a local fellow to the Sacramento legislature. He only served for a year I think but that was long enough to pass the Wright Act that provided for irrigation districts. Both Turlock and Modesto organized themselves in 1887. Ever since they have grown in the amount of water (and later, power) provided. They are the co-owners of the existing Don Pedro dam.

 

[TomSeller]

. In the 1880's local farmers wanted to organize for irrigation but were frustrated by existing laws. .

I wonder what those farmers would think of today's laws. The irrigation districts would never get built.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Those 19th century farmers couldn't build irrigation projects under existing law so they changed it. More complicated today but still going on.

Small scale: Brown signs water projects bill aiding Friant-Kern farmers | Fresno Bee
Large scale: Sites Reservoir plan gets support from Placer, Roseville | The Sacramento Bee

 

[ForestGrump]

Just about 6 miles east of my house the climate changes dramatically from a thick forest to very high desert to high desert and after 10 more miles The Great Mojave Desert. LA is a desert. Most of Southern California is a desert. The Central Valley is unique, desert turned into a monster agricultural production area. Eat a carrot chances are 94 to 1 it came through Kern County. There are also 5 giant oil fields in Kern County. Chances are you will be watching California tonight on TV. Chances are you are using a device and technology developed in California.

I can watch skiers now from my window, in the summer mountain bikers and I can be in either LA or San Diego in 2 hours, the beach 1 hour, Vegas 3, San Francisco 6-7, Tahoe 5 etc.

Lima Linda Med. Center 8 min by helo, Cedar Sinai 30 min., Disney Land 1 hour by car etc. Edwards 1 hr, China Naval Weapons Center 1 hr, Ft Erwin 1 hr, 29 Palms 1 hr, Palmdale Plant #5 2 hours etc.

Yosemite 5 hours, Sequoia Nat. P. 5 hours, Joshua Tree N. P. 70 min, Grand Canyon 3 hours, Zion 5 hours, Capitol Reef NP 7 hours etc.

We may not be perfect but we are wonderful and we like tractors. Get the picture. 38,000,000 others do too.

 

[houstonscott]

Just about 6 miles east of my house the climate changes dramatically from a thick forest to very high desert to high desert and after 10 more miles The Great Mojave Desert. LA is a desert. Most of Southern California is a desert. The Central Valley is unique, desert turned into a monster agricultural production area. Eat a carrot chances are 94 to 1 it came through Kern County. There are also 5 giant oil fields in Kern County. Chances are you will be watching California tonight on TV. Chances are you are using a device and technology developed in California. I can watch skiers now from my window, in the summer mountain bikers and I can be in either LA or San Diego in 2 hours, the beach 1 hour, Vegas 3, San Francisco 6-7, Tahoe 5 etc. Lima Linda Med. Center 8 min by helo, Cedar Sinai 30 min., Disney Land 1 hour by car etc. Edwards 1 hr, China Naval Weapons Center 1 hr, Ft Erwin 1 hr, 29 Palms 1 hr, Palmdale Plant #5 2 hours etc. Yosemite 5 hours, Sequoia Nat. P. 5 hours, Joshua Tree N. P. 70 min, Grand Canyon 3 hours, Zion 5 hours, Capitol Reef NP 7 hours etc. We may not be perfect but we are wonderful and we like tractors. Get the picture. 38,000,000 others do too.

Most the technology's you refer to were invent by, and in use by our military 10-15 years before you ever became aware of their existence, TV was invented in Indiana.

 

[ForestGrump]

Most the technology's you refer to were invent by, and in use by our military 10-15 years before you ever became aware of their existence, TV was invented in Indiana.

Huh? Oh, alright.