The document discusses ways to conserve water during drought conditions and the effects of droughts, specifically California's ongoing drought. It defines a drought as a prolonged period with abnormally low rainfall resulting in water shortages. Droughts affect people by causing them to conserve water and can result in crop loss and lower water levels. California's current drought is the driest period in the state's recorded history and recovering from it will require about 11 trillion gallons of water. The document provides tips for conserving water and examples of drought effects like lower plant production and land subsidence.

2. Our Main Goal
To share information about innovative
ways to conserve water while also sharing
how the drought affects people and their
lives all across the state

3. What is a drought?
• A drought is a prolonged period of time with abnormally low rainfall
that results in a shortage of water.
• It is a normal, recurrent feature of climate that occurs in virtually all
climate zones.
• A drought’s effects can vary from climate to climate.

4. How does a drought affect people?
• Droughts cause humans to think about their water management and
come up with ways for them to conserve water.
• Droughts cause a cut back in water which can lead to crops not getting
enough fluid, resulting in a loss of revenue for the farmer.
• The loss of crops then contributes to other partnerships of the farmer
not getting their share of crops and then losing their revenue also.
• Lakes and other conservations of water may dry up and become
inaccessible.

5. California Drought Facts
• The California drought is in its fourth year.
• Short-term effects include lower surface water levels, decreased plant production, and
groundwater lowering for droughts lasting longer than a year.
• Long-term droughts cause land subsidence or settling/sinking of the soil due to aquifers
and groundwater being pulled out of the earth, saltwater intrusion is caused by a decrease
in freshwater from aquifers which act as a barrier to saltwater soaking inland, and
increased wildfire potentials.
• The drought currently encompasses over 98% of the state of California.
• California’s current drought is driest period in the state’s 163 years of recorded rainfall
history.
• It will take about 11 trillion gallons of to recover from California’s continuing drought,
according to a new analysis of NASA satellite data.

6. Possible ways to conserve water
• Eat less water intensive food
• Take shorter showers
• Turn off the sink after you wet your toothbrush
• Check periodically for leaks
• Water your plants less frequently
• Cut back using as much water as possible
• Wash clothes only when you have a full load

7. Examples of the Droughts Effects