News articles and links from January 3, 2013

Water supply

Changes in farming changing the way water is used

Story

From Chico Enterprise-Record - Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013

Coalition response...The report submitted by Mr. Cervantes illustrates the advancements that farmers have made in water use efficiency. The report is correct that farmers have adapted their management practices that have resulted in increased harvests with almost the same amount of water previously used. Reducing applied water on specific crops has allowed some farmers to plant additional acres and produce more of the same crop or grow other crops when markets are available where they can be sold.

From 1967 to 2007, California farmers' water use fell by 14.6% while increasing the value of agricultural commodities by 84% through increased production. The American consumer benefits from this improved water efficiency each time they go to the grocery store by paying less at the grocery store than their counterparts in 28 other high-income countries. Americans pay just 6.2% of their disposable income on food and non-alcoholic beverages each year. Those in other high-income countries pay 10.2%, which at the same rate would cost Americans $3,820 more each year (in 2010 dollars) to feed their families ( http://www.farmwater.org/foodcoststudy.pdf).

WATER SUPPLY

Rains' promise seen in deep Sierra snow pack

Story

From San Jose Mercury News - Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013

First snow survey of 2013 shows wet conditions

Press release

From DWR - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

Snow pack looks good, but dry January is looming

Story

From Modesto Bee - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

From Desert Sun - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

From Redding Record Searchlight - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

From Stockton Record - Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013

California snowpack gets off to good start

Story

From Sacramento Bee - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

California gets respite from rain, snow

Story

From Capital Press - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

(The following links are to television news stories regarding DWR's snowpack survey.)

Snow pack looks good, but dry January is looming

From KTVU - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

Sierra snowpack water measures 134 pct. of average

From News 10 - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

Sierra Nevada snowpack show California water supply off to good start

From NBC/San Diego - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

First snow survey of the New Year

From CBS/47 - Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013

MEETINGS

Embracing Innovation: The Next Generation

Register today for the 51st Annual California Irrigation Institute Conference. This conference will bring together both urban and agricultural water managers to discuss new irrigation technology and regional solutions to water issues. The conference is February 4-5, 2013 at the Sacramento Arden Hilton. To register or for more information on attending please visit www.caii.org.