Satellite Observations of the Epic California Drought

James S Famiglietti1, Brian F Thomas2, John T Reager II3, Stephanie L Castle4, Cedric H David5, Alys C Thomas4, Konstantinos Andreadis6, Donald F Argus2, Ali Behrangi2, Thomas Farr2, Joshua B Fisher2, Felix W Landerer2, Min-Hui Lo7, Noah P Molotch5, Thomas H Painter2, Matthew Rodell8, David Schimel3, Sean C Swenson9 and Michael M Watkins2, (1)Arizona State University, School of Sustainability, Tempe, United States, (2)NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, United States, (3)Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, United States, (4)Univ California Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States, (5)NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, United States, (6)University of Massachusetts Amherst, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Amherst, MA, United States, (7)NTU National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, (8)NASA GSFC HSL, Greenbelt, United States, (9)NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, United States
Abstract:
As California enters its third year of drought, questions of future water sustainability are inevitable. Snowpack, soil moisture, streamflow, reservoir and groundwater levels are at record lows. Mandatory water restrictions are being implemented, statewide fines for wasting water have been authorized, and billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs have been lost. Enhanced monitoring and modeling of the state’s dwindling water supplies can help manage what remains while looking forward to a post-drought, sustainable water future. Here we demonstrate the role of satellite observations in comprehensive drought characterization and monitoring. In particular we highlight changing water supply, declining groundwater and reservoir levels, agricultural and urban stress. Potential contributions to water management will be discussed.
Back to: Remote Sensing Applications for Water Resources Management II