I took these photos one week before California Gov. Jerry Brown announced the state’s first mandatory water restrictions. Everyone from homeowners to those on college campuses will be forced to cut their water usage or face fines that could reach as high as $10,000 each day. Brown’s executive order aims to reduce water usage in urban areas by 25 percent.
Little girl in Almond Orchard
I time stamped my photos here because, while walking in the blooming Almond orchard, we noticed the ground being slushy due to recent heavy irrigation. By the time we were done shooting these pictures, our shoes were covered with mud. A small example to demonstrate that the biggest water guzzler in California is agriculture. In fact, agricultural use in the state accounts for four times as much water as urban areas.
How much water does it take to keep the small Almond Orchard thriving?
Almond Blossoms and My little Flower
California has about one year of water stored, I read somewhere. The four of us are doing whatever we can to ration and conserve, including stop using our dish washer. Still, without an effective statewide water ration plan and a miracle monsoon, will we see these Almond Blossoms next Spring?
Will the Almond trees bloom for us next Spring?