Federal water supply may be cut off from California

Federal water managers say they might have to cut off water supplies to some of California’s largest farms, thanks to the state’s severe drought.

This would be the first time in more than 15 years such a move was taken. The state predicts a loss of more than $1 billion and an elimination of as many as 40,000 jobs if this takes place.

The Western Growers Association says as of December 2008, the drought has cost California’s agriculture industry more than $308 million. Local city leaders say the Central Coast water supply is OK, but across the state it is a different story.

“Well, it’s the lifeblood of agriculture. We irrigate virtually all of our crops with water,” said Richard Quandt, president of the Grower-Shipper Association.

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Source: MSNBC