Value of Agriculture Using Sierra Nevada Water

Wealth of Central Valley's Agricultural Industry Reflects Wealth of Sierra Water

Why is it important?

The value of the Sierra Nevada’s water can partially be determined by the value of agricultural production where the water is utilized. As the primary source of water for the Central and San Joaquin valleys, the amount of agriculture produced using water from the Sierra Nevada illustrates how the region is connected to the state’s most important agricultural areas. Large farms, rising pressure on the land and farmers for increased production, and the sheer scale of existing production in the Central and San Joaquin directly affects the Sierra Nevada. The large scale of agriculture requires a continued water supply in order to meet the state, as well as nation’s, demand for agricultural production. With the exception of Glenn, Colusa, and Tehama counties, the value of agricultural production in the Central Valley is the true financial wealth of Sierra Nevada water.

How are we doing?

Between 1990 and 2003, the value of agriculture produced in the Central Valley using Sierra Nevada water has remained relatively steady, shifting between $15 and $18 billion annually. Production in the Sierra Nevada, itself, adds only very small fraction to that total. The wealth of Central Valley’s agricultural industry is truly the wealth of the Sierra Nevada.

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