1. California’s Water Resources
Objective:
What are the main sources of California’s freshwater supply?
How is California’s water distributed to where it is needed?
What are the main uses of water in California?

2. California’s Water Supply
The main sources of California’s freshwater supply are:
precipitation (rain, snow)
surface water (lakes, rivers)
groundwater

3. Precipitation
Southern California is mostly desert with little precipitation
Northern California and the mountains receive most of the precipitation

4. California Precipitation

5. Surface Water
Much of California’s precipitation flows into streams, rivers, and lakes.
The drainage basins of Northern California provide over ½ of the states freshwater each year
Drainage basins from outside of California (Colorado River) also provide a large amount of our water

6. California Surface Water

7. Groundwater
Precipitation seeps into the ground to be stored as groundwater
During droughts more groundwater is used
Rocks containing water are called aquifers

8. California’s Water Projects
Local Water Projects
Aqueduct – a pipe or channel through which water flows
Colorado River Aqueduct – Brings water from the Colorado River to Southern California
Los Angeles Aqueduct – Brings water from the Sierra Nevada to Los Angeles

9. California Water Projects

10. California’s Water Projects
State Water Project (SWP)
Transfers rain and melted snow from Northern California to the Bay Area, Central California and Southern California.

11. California Water Projects

12. California’s Water Projects
Federal Water Projects
All-American Canal, Coachella Canal – provide water for irrigation in Southern California
Central Valley Project – provides irrigation for central valley, and water for the Bay Area

13. California Water Projects

14. Summary
Write a short summary describing the water resources of California.
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15. Assignment: Create a Water Resources Map that shows the Major California Water Projects.

16. On a Separate Sheet of Paper answer the following questions:
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What are the main sources of California’s freshwater supply?
How is California’s water distributed to where it is needed?
What are the main uses of water in California?