Salvador Parra is the manager of Burford Ranch in California’s Central Valley. Like many others, is worried about the lack of water. California’s worst drought since 1977 has forced Parra to leave fallow 2,000 of his 6,000 acres. Moreover, they have to dig deep for water to save the crops already planted.
Normally, the ranch grows everything from garlic, onions, tomatoes and alfalfa to cotton. This year, Parra needs emergency water sources just to bring a reduced crop to harvest. One well he is depending on is 800 feet (244 m) deep “and we’re having to pump it all the way up to the surface so that we can irrigate our crops.”
The pipe system is costing the ranch thousands of dollars, but other options are just out of reach, Parra told wkzo.com. He said the water that is available, called supplemental water, is very expensive – $2,000 an acre foot versus the regular price of $200-$250 an acre foot.
Agriculture is an important part of California’s economy and the state is a top producer of vegetables, berries, nuts and dairy products.
Photo source: Dreamstime.com