California Drought 2014 is Worst Ever Water Loss in State

A recent University of California study showed that the current drought ravaging California this year is causing the "greatest absolute reduction in water availability for California agriculture ever seen," Mashable reported.

"The California drought will deprive the state's thirsty farmers of 6.6 million acre-feet of surface water, which works out to a whopping 2.2 trillion gallons - enough to fill 60 million average-sized swimming pools," the site said. "Farmers are making up for some of this lost water by pumping as much groundwater as they can tap into, which will diminish the state's ability to withstand future droughts."

The study's authors, which included U.C. Davis economist Richard Howitt, also recommended that the state begin monitoring and managing the use of groundwater. "Currently, it is the only western state that doesn't even keep tabs on its supplies, let alone limit the amount that can be used," Mashable added.

The need to regulate the use of groundwater is such that this water source is not quickly replenished and is not easily refilled. Also, the land will sink once groundwater supplies plummet.

Aside from this, it also has been found that the drought may likely last for years. "Dry conditions in California are unlikely to go away. Researchers expect next year to be another drought year for California, even if a change in El Niño conditions brings some much-needed rain to the state," CBS News stated.

With these things considered, Howitt said that the agricultural sector "needs to realize its water supplies have limits, and the industry must take the lead in groundwater management."

"Know how much water's in it and how fast it's being used," Howitt said. "It's very simple economics, but it's such an emotional topic. Farmers have to sit down and ask themselves... do they want their children and grandchildren to be farming?"

Recently, Caliornia water regulators instituted fines for "washing cars, watering lawns or hosing down sidewalks," according to USA Today. This is after it has been found that locals have upped their water consumption despite calls for conservation due to the severe drought.

"Based on the initial figures, the board last week proposed banning watering lawns, washing cars or sidewalks and running fountains, with violators facing fines up to $500 a day," the news source said.

The ongoing drought has been estimated to cost California $2.2 billion for 2014 alone and may cut about 17,100 (3.8%) farm jobs in the state, according to The Wall Street Journal.