Introduction to Water in California / Edition 2

by David Carle

Overview

This thoroughly engaging, concise book tells the story of California's most precious resource, tracing the journey of water in the state from the atmosphere to the snowpack to our faucets and foods. Along the way, we learn much about California itself as the book describes its rivers, lakes, wetlands, dams, and aqueducts and discusses the role of water in agriculture, the environment, and politics. Essential reading in a state facing the future with an overextended water supply, this fascinating book shows that, for all Californians, every drop counts.

New to this updated edition:

* Additional maps, figures, and photos

* Expanded coverage of potential impacts to precipitation, snowpack, and water supply from climate change

* Updated information about the struggle for water management and potential solutions

* New content about sustainable groundwater use and regulation, desalination, water recycling, stormwater capture, and current proposals for water storage and diversion

*Additional table summarizing water sources for 360 California cities and towns

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520287907
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	12/15/2015
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	468,104
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

David Carle is a former park ranger and the author of California Natural History Guides about water, fire, air, and soil (UC Press), as well as other books in water history and management, including Drowning the Dream: California’s Water Choices at the Millennium and Water and the California Dream. His most recent UC Press book is Traveling the 38th Parallel: A Water Line around the World (2013).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction—Water Web: Connected Californians

Chapter 1. Tapping into a Planetary Cycle
A Great Water Wheel
The Vital Molecule
“Normal” Weather: Anything but “Average”

Chapter 2. California Water Landscape
Pristine Waterscape
Groundwater
Hydrologic Regions

Chapter 3. The Distribution System
Expanding Watersheds
The State Water Project
The Central Valley Project
Colorado River Delivery Systems
The Los Angeles Aqueduct
The Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct
The Mokelumne Aqueduct
The North Bay

Chapter 4. Challenges to California Water Management
Climate Change and the Water Cycle
Extinction Is Forever
A Thirsty Garden
Asking Too Much of the Colorado River and the Salton Sea
Out of Sight, Out of Control
Can You Drink the Water?
The Problem Is Us

Chapter 5. Meeting the Challenges: California’s Water Future
California Water Law and the Public Trust
The Delta, a Tunnel Vision, and a Water Bond
Recycle and Reuse: Localizing Water
Sustainable Groundwater
The Debate over Dams
Transfers: Water as a Commodity
Clean Water
Ecosystem Restoration
Lemonade from Lemons: Is Desalination Viable?
Will There Be Enough Water?

Acronyms and Abbreviations
Historical Timeline
Agencies and Organizations
References
Photo Credits
Index
Author Biography

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Prescient and timely. . . Carle's obvious skills as an educator flow through the book as he reels in the reader with engaging hooks. . . The book is broad enough to be widely read and yet specific enough to serve as a text book."—North County Times

"A colorful overview of nature and politics."—Chico Enterprise-Record

"A straight-forward, non-political look at the history of water development in the Golden State."—The Record

Editorial Reviews

"Bottom Line: You cannot hope to fix a "broken" system without some basic understanding of its history, function and opportunities for change. I give Carle's book FIVE STARS for providing that information."

David Zetland

Carle’s writings are not so much a political statement as eloquent statements of historical fact.

Stockton Record

A straight-forward, non-political look at the history of water development in the Golden State.

The Record

A colorful overview of nature and politics.

Chico Enterprise-Record

Prescient and timely. . . Carle’s obvious skills as an educator flow through the book as he reels in the reader with engaging hooks. . . The book is broad enough to be widely read and yet specific enough to serve as a text book.

North County Times

"Prescient and timely. . . Carle's obvious skills as an educator flow through the book as he reels in the reader with engaging hooks. . . The book is broad enough to be widely read and yet specific enough to serve as a text book."--North County Times

"A colorful overview of nature and politics."--Chico Enterprise-Record

"A straight-forward, non-political look at the history of water development in the Golden State."--The Record

"Carle's writings are not so much a political statement as eloquent statements of historical fact."--Stockton Record

From the Publisher