California drought: Water by rail

[AARR]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/ ... ar-BBj2bvf

[Saturnalia]

I'm gonna say, this whole situation is man-made, and NOT by climate change! Too much population and farm pressure on precious little water.

For those who say "drought", welcome to the historic average. NOAA analysis showed that the 20th century was the wettest in the west in 1400 years. What we are seeing now is actually closer to the normal.

They're curbing water usage, but 80% of their water is for agriculture. I doubt enough volume could be moved by rail to make it work, if they were crazy enough to try

Move people to the water, instead of moving water to them.

[AARR]

Ocean water can be used once they figure out what to do with the excess salt.

[J T]

I'm gonna say, this whole situation is man-made, and NOT by climate change! Too much population and farm pressure on precious little water.

For those who say "drought", welcome to the historic average. NOAA analysis showed that the 20th century was the wettest in the west in 1400 years. What we are seeing now is actually closer to the normal.

Yeah, agriculture uses a lot, but it doesn't help that the snowfall in the Sierras has been VERY low this past winter. But I don't believe that has to do with "climate change" either. It's just nature being nature. And of course, over-population in an area where water usage has limitations.

[Norm]

There has been an ongoing discussion on Trains Magazine forum about moving water to California by train. The only thing the proponents haven't figured out is who is willing to sell them the water. People in the Western states are very protective of their water rights and it's not likely the Great Lake states are willing to part with theirs either. The discussion has the cart in front of the horse.

[GreatLakesRailfan]

This was discussed on TO (train orders) as well and someone did the math as far as how much water the LA area uses daily based on various reports, and calculated how much a single trainload might be, using "surplus" DOT-111 cars. The numbers look like dozens, if not hundreds of trainloads would be required on a daily basis to keep up with usage. Couple with Norm's point of where the water would come from, the whole thing sounds more like a bad drug trip than reality.

Realistically, aside from sheer cost, it surprises me greatly that nobody's built a desalination plant, rather than dream up nonsense like bringing in water by train, when no one would want the unloading point in their backyard anyway...

[Saturnalia]

the whole thing sounds more like a bad drug trip than reality.

Well, this IS California we're talking about. Not the standard-bearer in logic and sense in this Union

[AARR]

Using CA logic they can use the rising ocean waters caused by the melting glaciers due to global warming for their water needs and save their state from flooding

[hoborich]

Well, this IS California we're talking about. Not the standard-bearer in logic and sense in this Union

You must be referring to "The Peoples Republic of Cawlifawnia"