BajaNomad - Is Water Scarcity in Baja a Myth?

Is Water Scarcity in Baja a Myth?

jakecard - 8-20-2011 at 09:11 AM

On its face the answer to this question seems self-evident. However, some irrigation habits in Baja cause me to wonder: Is water scarcity in Baja a myth?

Is there actually plenty of water for everyone and no need to conserve?

Can anyone share quantifiable facts around just how scarce, or just how plentiful ground water is throughout Baja?

As a general proposition, do you agree or disagree that fresh water is "scarce" in Baja?

Jake

David K - 8-20-2011 at 09:15 AM

The grapes are watered with drip!

Baja is a diverse land... so, you may need to tell us what part (coastal, inland, mountain, desert, north, south, etc.)

Obviously the desert is very limited in water availability... wells, oasis, tinaja being the sources.

jakecard - 8-20-2011 at 09:30 AM

I am ignorant, so please tell me.

How much does the availability of groundwater vary throughout the diverse regions of Baja?

Jake

shari - 8-20-2011 at 09:32 AM

that is an excellent question Jake...I too ponder how much water there is is different aquifers...like the one that feeds our area in central baja. there is a furor right now about a new gold mine starting up at El Arco and how much of the water they will be using....I wonder if it has ever been measured? Also worries about the huge amounts of water Los Pinos uses as well since they have put in huge operations in Vizciano...good question and a tad worrisome.

sancho - 8-20-2011 at 09:45 AM

I've always wondered that too, with the all the development
at the Cape. I'll just go with the assumption, right or
wrong, that there would not be a study done that
would guarantee adequate water for such development.
I imagine they would build and deal with it after the
fact. I suppose it being mostly desert wouldn't
mean there isn't ground water to support that though.
Have heard that San Felipe gets it's water from south
of the town

David K - 8-20-2011 at 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jakecard
I am ignorant, so please tell me.

How much does the availability of groundwater vary throughout the diverse regions of Baja?

Jake

Some links of interst... first one on the area where Shari lives...

http://scielo.unam.mx/pdf/geoint/v49n4/v49n4a1.pdf

http://geo-mexico.com/?p=3779

http://www.azhydrosoc.org/MemberResources/Symposia/2010/AHS_...

http://botany.si.edu/projects/cpd/ma/ma12.htm

http://www.tjriverteam.org/uploads/Hydrogeological_Assessmen...

David K - 8-20-2011 at 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sancho
... Have heard that San Felipe gets it's water from south
of the town

The wells that serve San Felipe were drilled and piped into town in the late 1970's. The pipe(s) are under the old Puertecitos road, and the wells are about 9 miles south of town.

[Edited on 8-20-2011 by David K]

jakecard - 8-20-2011 at 10:02 AM

Useful links, thanks David.

Jake

David K - 8-20-2011 at 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jakecard
Useful links, thanks David.

Jake

de nada Jake, Have a great weekend!

Osprey - 8-20-2011 at 10:26 AM

Jack, there are lots of corners to this thing. That's because things change. At one time Ciudad Constitucion farmers were using a century's worth of water a month growing cotton. Cotton is giving way to Ostriches.

Consider that Baja California is an island. Imagine a drought on an island in a sea of salt water. There you have it. Then imagine that the drought and need is uneven now, is changing daily as the weather decides who/what lives and dies.

Here at East Cape we just witnessed the first water service from our one and only well to a new giant marina/golf develpment on 800 acres by the beach. The service line is just like mine - 3/4 of an inch. It is for water for the workmen. The huge marina canals are almost all dug and are full of brackish, (mostly fresh water from our aquifer) which percaloted up as they dug --- the canals hold millions of cubic meters of water that used to be available to our little village. The golf course could use 1 mill Cubic meters, THE SAME AMOUNT THE VILLAGE USES NOW.

Cosas cambia.

Mexitron - 8-20-2011 at 11:28 AM

For the Vizcaino area (first link): "The groundwater in the central area
shows high concentrations of soluble nitrates, a product
of agricultural fertilizer. Because of high withdrawals
in the central area, the advance of saltwater from the
west is already evident. The results of this study can be
useful to stakeholders and the public interested in a better
groundwater management of this aquifer."

That said, the demise of the San Quintin areas water was predicted 20 years ago and they're still pumping away.

Mexitron - 8-20-2011 at 11:32 AM

2nd link: "La Paz, the capital of the state of Baja California Sur, faces a particularly serious water supply problem. The local aquifer is reported to be already overexploited and suffering from salt water intrusions. Because of its greater density, seawater normally underlies freshwater in coastal areas. Salt water intrusions occur when so much fresh water is pumped out of coastal aquifers that it is replaced by the underlying salt water. The water supply issues have led to water rationing, in which almost half of La Paz’s 250,000 residents receive water only 12 hours or less each day."

The article goes on to say how desalination is the future----which makes me wonder what the results of the solar desal plant in Puerto Lopez were.

Cypress - 8-20-2011 at 11:34 AM

Duh? It's mostly desert.

Osprey - 8-20-2011 at 12:43 PM

Cypress, there you go again. Explain to us what a desert is. Then explain to us how many kinds of deserts there are, then delete your last post. Then stay in Idaho.

Cypress - 8-20-2011 at 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Osprey Then stay in Idaho.

There's high desert, low desert and a lot of in between. Write us a story.

Osprey - 8-20-2011 at 01:51 PM

Not even close. What desert is Idaho in? How much rainfall there? What's the evaporation rate? Do they do any farming in southern Idaho? How much rain do you think they get in the low desert around Ciudad Constitucion? How come that's such a rich agricultural area? Go see Mr. Google, then start over.

Hell of a good question!

mcfez - 8-20-2011 at 02:04 PM

I just read this http://www.rideforclimate.com/journals/?p=50

Funny...L.A. was once considered a desert as well as most of I 99

Mexitron - 8-20-2011 at 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Osprey
Not even close. What desert is Idaho in? How much rainfall there? What's the evaporation rate? Do they do any farming in southern Idaho? How much rain do you think they get in the low desert around Ciudad Constitucion? How come that's such a rich agricultural area? Go see Mr. Google, then start over.

Exactly---its been raining for a couple billion years anyway---even in deserts it adds up if you have the right rock strata to hold it. Look at the Olagallala Aquifer under the high plains in the Texas panhandle---that's dry country up there but a ton of water underground.

Cypress - 8-20-2011 at 02:09 PM

Osprey, Good grief! Don't ask me. Look it up for your self. Do your own research. I'm just passing thru. Write a story. Read a book.

Barry A. - 8-20-2011 at 02:48 PM

The climate classification of "desert" is an average yearly rainfall of under 10 inches. Many parts of Alta and Baja CA qualify, including the Coastal plain from Santa Barbara south. This is nothing new--------been a desert for years (but not always)-----irrigation just fools everybody.

Now, does this deter the developers and politians??? No, not one whit. Develop away, and steal (or buy) water from whereever you can find it, including much of the USA southwest via aquaducts.

Baja CA does not have that source, tho. "Fossil water" (old water held in aquafirs) is always tentative, and it is hard to determine how much is there until you start to run out by observing the water table going down. Borrego Springs and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is an example of a small aquafir being slowly exhausted, with no help in sight----a significant problem.

As a Geographer, I have always been worried about water in Baja CA.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Barry

Bajafun777 - 8-20-2011 at 03:28 PM

Start with how much water Baja gets from the Colorado River end run. Then follow the pipe line out of Mexicali over the mountains into T.J., now that is where a lot of that water comes from in Northern Baja areas.
With the concrete canals stopping a lot of that water being loss Mexicali is screaming give us more, however they are now behind San Diego screaming it is ours it is ours.
Well, the river starts its run in Colorado and heads southward so it is USA's water but old treaty with Mexico gives them a set amount of water per year from the Colorado. Note, how much would Mexico charge USA for that water if the direction of that river ran the other direction?? We are just too kind in USA and still get others talking about us,LOL. Think Baja should be putting in plants that take the ocean water and changes it into drinking water before it is too late, yes I think San Diego and L.A. should do the same. Take Care & Travel Safe---- " No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

Cardon Man - 8-20-2011 at 04:27 PM

Water should be conserved as a precious resource regardless of where it's drawn from the ground.
I've always been surprised at the sheer volume that is sprayed on dirt driveways and streets in every town, big or small, in Baja. Every morning, wetting the ground is a wide spread tradition.

[Edited on 8-20-2011 by Cardon Man]

Cypress - 8-20-2011 at 04:41 PM

Oh Yea, There's lots of water in Baja. All those desert plants? Doesn't mean a thing. Water, water everywhere and....... :biggrin:

Mexitron - 8-20-2011 at 05:40 PM

And don't forget that a mere 10,000 yrs ago the climate in Catavina was wetter---chapparal, cypress pollen has been found in fossilized rat middens from that era---that would be an environment more like Alpine in San Diego County.

David K - 8-20-2011 at 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cypress
Oh Yea, There's lots of water in Baja. All those desert plants? Doesn't mean a thing. Water, water everywhere and....... :biggrin:

Sometime called a 'fog desert', much of the vegetation is assisted by the cool Pacific air condensing on the hot desert (ie making fog/ water out of air). See the ball moss on the bojum trees south of Punta Prieta for example... The giant cardon stores water from the occaisinal cloud burst we know happens once or twice a year... othe succulents (cactus) do the same.

shari - 8-21-2011 at 07:09 AM

Holy fossilized rat middens!!! thanks Mexitron for the new phrase of the week! Not too long ago, many of the coastal fish camps had only desal plants but progress brought water pipelines from the Vizcaino aquifer which sure break down alot...pipes rupture, pumps burn out and water is off for many days at a time...unlike the old days of wells and desalinated water. Unfortunately the desal plants were removed...too bad cause it sure would be nice to have a backup.

There is grave concern in our area about water with all the new agricultural development and mining...vizcaino farmers report ground water is becoming more salinated all the time...not a good sign. I have often thought of investing in one of those sailboat watermaker machines...just in case.

ncampion - 8-21-2011 at 07:10 AM

Sometimes I think that they could solve the water problem in Baja if everyone would just fix their leaky faucets. I don't think there is a faucet or toilet in Baja that doesn't leak constantly.

.

MMc - 8-21-2011 at 08:07 AM

I have always believed that water run towards power and money. If you pull more water at a greater then replacement you will run out.I know it seems oblivious but civilization has ignored it for years. I don't think Baja has manage to be immune to a lack of foresight. Water is and will continue to be abused.
MMc

Bajajorge - 8-21-2011 at 08:13 AM

Water shortage?

That's why there is a Tecate store on every street corner and two inbetween. :light:

I theenk maybe. :biggrin:

Osprey - 8-21-2011 at 09:10 AM

Raising the price might lead to some conservation. Don't pay much in this little village. I use about 30 cubic meters a month for $4.00 dollars U.S. That's about .002 cents per gallon. Almost free. More of Mexico's cheap thrills.

That will all change now as the new marina comes on line. I'll just have to remember the days when the little place was an exotic oasis of emerald green all year round because land owners/homeowners grew such luxuriant trees, plants and gardens.

shari - 8-21-2011 at 09:53 AM

we pay 90 pesos a month for unlimited water use and most people use alot watering their dirt...most people dont have any meters so it's a flat rate.

capitolkat - 8-21-2011 at 10:12 AM

I lived in NV for 13 years and did a lot of work with ranchers concerning allocations of water. The state engineer has appropriated all the ground water in the state and it's application process for every new request. in the West- and I consider the Baja climate to make it part of the west- Mark Twain said a long time ago--

Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting over.

Skeet/Loreto - 8-21-2011 at 01:47 PM

Some History of Water Problems in Baja Sur:

In the 70's there was a 7 year Drought in Baja Sur. It got so bad that the Ranch and land owners like the Davis Family in Loreto aamong others hired a 'Cloud0seeding operation to come in and work the Area from La Paz Northward to Santa Rosailla.
During the process there came along a Hurricane and dumped a lot of water on the Mountains.
There was in the beginning 1 Well for Loreto, then the Govt came in and there are now{I beleive} 9 wells serving Loreto.
Angus McKensie of Ligui had another well drilled in the Mountains and it serves the Ligui Area.

Manny years ago "Fossil Water was dixcovered near where nopw is Constituion' is located.

It was I think at 1500 Feet. The Mesican Govt started bringing complete Villages of People from the Main land and started them growing Cotton.

Several years ago the water was pumped down to the point that the Govt came in and stopped production on one -half of the Acreage they had originally given to the People.
There was a large Demonstration and uprising and a few miles south of Constitution there is a Monument to 14 people killed by a speeding Car as they were about a 100 People marching to La Paz in protest of losing the use of the land.

It may well be that the next wars will be fought over Water. Think about it!
What would happen to La if they could not get anymore Owens Valley Water!!

baitcast - 8-21-2011 at 04:05 PM

This being the first in many years that Lake Powell is full and Mead is up is only putting off the what well be a water disaster.

Pre 208 they were building golf courses like there was no tomorrow around here,when AZ,Calif. and Nev. gets done dividing up the river there will be not a drop for Baja Norte or anything for that matter.
Rob

tripledigitken - 8-21-2011 at 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by baitcast
This being the first in many years that Lake Powell is full and Mead is up is only putting off the what well be a water disaster.

Pre 208 they were building golf courses like there was no tomorrow around here,when AZ,Calif. and Nev. gets done dividing up the river there will be not a drop for Baja Norte or anything for that matter.
Rob

Baitcast,

Lake Powell is having a very good year, however it is not "full pool".

Latest report...

Lake Powell is 41.39 feet below Full Pool (Elevation 3,700)

By content, Lake Powell is 75.29% of Full Pool (24,322,000 af)

Compared to this time last year it is 24' higher.

1997 was the most recent year to have inflows at this rate.

Ken

http://graphs.water-data.com/lakepowell/index.php

fishbcs - 8-22-2011 at 01:58 PM

On the plus side there is the same amount of water on Earth today as there was one million years ago. On the minus side, the amount of freshwater is less than 3% of all the water on Earth. So I think the word "scarcity" should come into play no matter where one lives.

castaway$ - 8-23-2011 at 12:25 PM

Carcross desert in the Yukon is the smallest desert in the world, I wonder if they have a water shortage?

Bajatripper - 8-23-2011 at 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Osprey
How much rain do you think they get in the low desert around Ciudad Constitucion? How come that's such a rich agricultural area? Go see Mr. Google, then start over.

Don't know what Mr. Google has to say about Cd. Constitucion, but anyone familiar with the area for any length of time at all will tell you they are in serious trouble there when it comes to sustainable agriculture.

What often happens when it comes to rainfall is people go by the "average yearly rainfall," which is a deceiving stat. Take, for instance, La Paz. We supposedly receive a little over five inches a year "on average," yet, for the last two years, I'd be surprised if we've had more than one inch. Then, a storm or--better yet--a hurricane will dump 15 inches, and presto, we're back up to our yearly average. Yet most of that water will run off once the ground becomes temporarily saturated and unable to absorb any more. So our aquifer won't be charged as much as one might think.

When agriculture first arrived in the Santo Domingo Valley (where Cd. Constitucion is located) in the 1940s, it was supported by deep wells bored by the federal government. Things looked great at first and water seemed to be in abundant supply. So great was the abundance that the politics of La Paz actually shifted to favor the farmers of "El Valle" (as the region is known down here). Cotton and wheat were popular crops, but these apparently take lots of water and soon the valley ran into trouble. Talk to a farmer from El Valle today and see what they say. Who gets access to water, and how much, and the corruption involved are popular themes.

El Valle continues to be a strong agricultural region, but now they are focused on crops that require less water and using more efficient watering techniques. The soil in El Valle continues to be furtile, but without an adequate water supply, for how long it remains relevant only time will tell.

[Edited on 8-24-2011 by Bajatripper]

Bajatripper - 8-23-2011 at 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexitron
And don't forget that a mere 10,000 yrs ago the climate in Catavina was wetter---chapparal, cypress pollen has been found in fossilized rat middens from that era---that would be an environment more like Alpine in San Diego County.

And don't forget, Laguna Chapala would have been called Lago Chapala in that era, it was brimming with water, as evidenced by the many "playas" archaeologists have documented.

Bajatripper - 8-23-2011 at 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexitron

Exactly---its been raining for a couple billion years anyway---even in deserts it adds up if you have the right rock strata to hold it. Look at the Olagallala Aquifer under the high plains in the Texas panhandle---that's dry country up there but a ton of water underground.

Assuming that you mean "Ogallala" Aquifer, stick around for another couple of decades and you might be surprised at just how limited that aquifer is. I remember reading an article about it several years ago which pointed out that it is tapped by something like six or seven states, several of which are heavy agricultural producers. Add to that several large cities in that region that also depende on it, and the article concluded that once it's used up, as it surely will be, the whole region will be in serious trouble.