When it comes to water, California is a land of contrasts. After years of drought, heavy rains may produce violent floods.
Summers are usually dry, winters usually rainy.
Most of California's rain falls on the northern third of the state, but farms and cities in the other two thirds of the state use most of the water. In California, there always seems to be too much water, or not enough. This issue introduces readers to the geography, science, history, and politics of water in California. We explore the vast system of creeks, streams, and rivers that is the Sacramento River watershed. A hydrologist gives us the inside scoop on groundwater, including hot tips on hot springs and geysers.