Wasserversorgung in Kalifornien
Background
Lake Oroville Reservoir, located in Northern California’s foothills, spans approximately 62 square kilometres, and has a maximum capacity of around 4.3 cubic kilometres of water when filled to the brim. Satellite images offer a striking view of its vast expanse and intricate network of tributaries and allow for monitoring both its filling status and its water quality.
Agriculture in the surrounding region heavily depends on Lake Oroville’s water supply, with approximately 2800 square kilometres of farmland benefiting from irrigation sourced from the reservoir. This plays a significant role in California’s agricultural sector, which is responsible for producing over 50 billion Euro worth of crops annually.
However, climate change poses a increasing challenge. Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns have led to prolonged droughts, causing the reservoir’s water levels to plummet. In recent years, Lake Oroville has experienced alarming drops, with water levels decreasing by up to 60 metres in some instances. In this context, spring 2023 was special as intense rainfall filled the reservoir, thus pausing the drought.
To combat the impacts of climate change, meticulous conservation and water management strategies are imperative. Lake Oroville’s fate underscores the urgent need for sustainable practices and climate resilience measures in managing our precious water resources.
Exercises
- Satellite Map:
- EO Browser:
