California drying

[Snipper]

18 minutes ago, knocker said:

I've no idea what you mean by surface event but the rains and snow this winter have completely transformed the drought areas, irrespective of future rainfall this season.

https://www.drought.gov/drought/california

Sorry what I mean is  it just the top surface that is saturated so latent plants and seeds sprout? If the moisture has not percolated far below the surface it will soon dry out and most stuff will die back. 

Basically how has the water table improved or not. It is not clear from the link. 

[knocker]

26 minutes ago, Snipper said:

Sorry what I mean is  it just the top surface that is saturated so latent plants and seeds sprout? If the moisture has not percolated far below the surface it will soon dry out and most stuff will die back. 

Basically how has the water table improved or not. It is not clear from the link. 

Quote

Groundwater: Groundwater aquifers recover much more slowly than surface water and are limited, among other things, by how much and how fast water can recharge. Unlike surface water, which can recover during a few days of heavy precipitation, groundwater aquifer recovery often takes years or decades. Groundwater systems are also relied upon more heavily during times of drought. In addition, in many areas of the state, groundwater systems have been depleted for long periods - even between droughts - that they have not recovered from. Excessive, long-term groundwater over-use resulting in groundwater depletion can cause subsidence and permanent loss of groundwater storage as well as water quality degradation and seawater intrusion. These long-term impacts on groundwater have not been remedied by the recent weather. If recovery is possible, it will likely take several to many years to accomplish.

https://ca.water.usgs.gov/data/drought/

And

First study of California’s deep groundwater sparks debate

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/06/first-study-california-s-deep-groundwater-sparks-debate

[KeithinCali]

On 3/11/2017 at 12:04, Snipper said:

Sorry what I mean is  it just the top surface that is saturated so latent plants and seeds sprout? If the moisture has not percolated far below the surface it will soon dry out and most stuff will die back. 

Basically how has the water table improved or not. It is not clear from the link. 

 

Interesting question.  But not one that's asked too much because most of the state's supply, that's isn't still part of the Sierra snow pack, is stored in the extensive reservoir/aqueduct system.  There are however small towns in the Central Valley, particularly along the foothills of the that still rely entirely on ground water. 

Interesting that most of California is now drought free.  But it would still be great to get another decent winter next year to consolidate this.

[knocker]