California: Water Wars!

Heh, heh...you cannot write fiction this exciting or engrossing.

First, let us introduce our cast of characters.

The Delta

Located on the eastern side of the SF Bay, it is the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. It is a complex network of levies, fresh water, agriculture, and nature. It drains into the Bay.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA)

There is a small bait fish (hypomesus transpacificus), native to the Delta, which is protected by the ESA. Human civilization is not allowed to take the water it needs from the Delta or tributaries because in times of drought, because this might damage the population of said bait fish.

The California Aqueduct

It is fed at its head by 2 huge water pumps located in the Delta. It is a gigantic canal that waters agriculture of the interior valleys as it wends its way south, terminating eventually in the Los Angeles Basin, which is technically a desert. Due to the ESA, the pumps have been turned off because California is in the midst of a very bad drought.

The San Joaquin Valley

Even in the absence of irrigation, it is the most productive agricultural land on the face of the earth, second only to the Ukraine. The San Joaquin River flows through this valley, flowing westward just north of Fresno, ending eventually in the Delta.

The Farmers

Tending the verdant Valley, they have turned Central California into the salad bowl of the world. They used to be able to tap the native river to water their crops, but can no longer do so due to the ESA. Instead, they are forced to draw water from the aqueduct as the water is pumped from the Delta southwards down to LA. So, the water they get have made a round trip from the river down to the Delta and back up past the Valley (no, I am not kidding).

Thirsty Cities

Many cities in SF/Bay Area draw drinking water from lakes, reservoirs, and the Delta. This year, many will literally run out of drinking water long before the winter rains return.

And now, our feature presentation...

Act 1

“Reprieve”. In a rare moment of clarity, the useful idiots temporarily suspend the ESA (OK, now you know that this is not real life, but science fiction, right?).

Act 2

“Die, Aqueduct, Die”. See Star Trek: The Next Generation. Episode:The Ensigns of Command. Even the Guardians of Gaia cheer.

Act 3

“Dam, You”. The moratorium on building dams is lifted. Many reservoirs and dams and man-made lakes are constructed. Now, in times of plenty, water can be saved and stored. Even in times of terrible drought, there will be enough drinking water for all.

Act 4

“Water, Water, Everywhere...” The farmers are allowed to directly tap the river flowing through their own backyard as much as they want. What was desert now blooms with a carpet of color that extends as far as the eye can see. Reference: Exodus 16.

Act 5

“The Decline and Fall of the Peripheral Canal”. Now that there is enough water for all, there is no more thought of a second aqueduct/canal allowing the south to commandeer yet more precious water from the north.

Act 6

“Godzilla vs. LADWP”. Once again, the good guys win. LA returns to the desert from whence it came (honestly, who cares?). Balloons, confetti, ticker tape parade, popping of champagne corks.

Epilogue

And they all lived happily ever after.

The End?