A new report from UC Davis and UC Merced warns that California could lose 4 to 9 million acre-feet of water annually—up to 25% of current usage—due to changes in weather patterns, groundwater limits, environmental mandates, and Colorado River reductions. This could cost the state up to $14.5 billion annually and eliminate as many as 67,000 jobs, particularly in agriculture-heavy areas such as the Central Valley.
The report calls for urgent action to avoid severe economic and social consequences. Many points in the report align largely with the economic impact study commissioned by the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley (Blueprint) in 2020. CCM President/CEO Casey Creamer currently sits on the Blueprint board in a seat representing Agriculture.
The report highlights that flexible water allocation and improved infrastructure could cut economic losses by up to 50%. However, California’s fragmented water governance poses coordination challenges that must be addressed for an effective response.
The report echoes the Blueprint’s message of the need for infrastructure investments and policy updates to help resolve water shortages and economic losses. To secure its water future, the state must invest in storage, conveyance, and policy reform.
Ongoing efforts, like the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley, aim to restore infrastructure and develop sustainable water plans. Eliminating ineffective regulations and enhancing collaboration are critical steps to support California’s farms, communities, and ecosystems.
Read a more comprehensive summary of the report from the Blueprint here.
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