Introduction to Water in California

Introduction to Water in California

The food each of us consumes per day represents an investment of 4,500 gallons of water, according to the California Farm Bureau. In this densely populated state where it rains only six months out of the year, where does all that water come from? This thoroughly engaging, concise book tells the story of California's most precious resource, tracing the journey of water in the state from the atmosphere to the snowpack to our faucets and foods. Along the way, we learn much about California itself as the book describes its rivers, lakes, wetlands, dams, and aqueducts and discusses the role of water in agriculture, the environment, and politics. Essential reading in a state facing the future with an already overextended water supply, this fascinating book shows that, for all Californians, every drop counts. A new preface on recent water issues brings the book up to the minute. * Features 130 color photographs and 26 color maps * Includes a table, "Where Does Your Water Come From?," “Prescient and timely. . . Carle’s obvious skills as an educator flow through the book as he reels in the reader with engaging hooks. . . The book is broad enough to be widely read and yet specific enough to serve as a text book.” ― North County Times Published On: 2009-04-05 “A colorful overview of nature and politics.” ― Chico Enterprise-Record Published On: 2009-05-07 “A straight-forward, non-political look at the history of water development in the Golden State.” ― The Record Published On: 2011-06-08 “Carle’s writings are not so much a political statement as eloquent statements of historical fact.” ― Stockton Record Published On: 2012-10-03 "This book engages readers at a personal level."—Donald Pisani, author of Water and American Government "Water is the foundation upon which California's ecosystems and economic vitality rise. This is a must read for anyone living in California, whether they are students, politicians, farmers, environmental activists, or corporate executives."—Arthur Guy Baggett, Jr., Chair, California State Water Resources Control Board "A comprehensive, readable natural history guide to an extremely complicated subject. It interweaves the historical, human, and technological factors with the ecological and environmental realities."—Pam Lloyd, former Chair of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, S.F. Bay Region "This book engages readers at a personal level."―Donald Pisani, author of Water and American Government "Water is the foundation upon which California's ecosystems and economic vitality rise. This is a must read for anyone living in California, whether they are students, politicians, farmers, environmental activists, or corporate executives."―Arthur Guy Baggett, Jr., Chair, California State Water Resources Control Board "A comprehensive, readable natural history guide to an extremely complicated subject. It interweaves the historical, human, and technological factors with the ecological and environmental realities."―Pam Lloyd, former Chair of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, S.F. Bay Region David Carle worked as a California State Park ranger for 27 years. He is author of Introduction to Fire in California and Introduction to Air in California, among other books.