The New York Times recently ran a story (Drought is Bearing Fruit for Washington Wineries) quoting Michael Garrity of American Rivers. Michael talked about how a plan for the Yakima River is a model for conservation.

I sat down with Michael and asked him some questions about this important river and groundbreaking project.

Why is the Yakima a special river?

The Yakima River represents and supports so many different aspects of the Pacific Northwest’s high quality of life. The river supports salmon runs that sustain tribes and provides Washington’s only blue ribbon trout fishing opportunities for residents and visitors. The river’s water irrigates abundant crops including apples, peaches, cherries, and an increasing quantity of wine grapes as mentioned in the New York Times story.  The Yakima is also essential to the craft beer industry and to bigger breweries, because it provides about 75% of the nation’s – and one-third of the world’s – hops. And of course the Yakima watershed is a popular destination for families looking for hiking, boating, skiing, and other outdoor activities.

What is significant about the agreement?

The Yakima Basin plan, hammered out by a diverse coalition of conservationists, farmers, tribes and state and federal governments, is a major step toward ending decades of bitter feuding over water in the Yakima Basin, ending 30-plus years of “fish vs. farms” debates.

The plan will restore several runs of salmon and steelhead, including what could easily become the largest sockeye salmon run in the lower 48 states and improve water security for farms and communities, all while protecting nearly 200,000 acres of public lands and about 200 miles of pristine streams prized for recreation and wildlife habitat. The plan has already protected 50,000 acres in the Teanaway River Valley.  This beautiful valley was threatened with resort development before it became, thanks to the Yakima Plan, the state’s first Community Forest.  Now it’s safe from development and managed primarily for fisheries health, natural water supply benefits, and recreation.

How can the success on the Yakima translate to other river basins dealing with drought and water conflicts?

On the Yakima River, the status quo wasn’t working for anybody. Streams were running dry and were blocked by outdated irrigations dams, farmers didn’t have enough water for their crops, and fish populations were plummeting. More lawsuits weren’t the answer. So we – a conservation coalition, the Yakama Nation, farmers, counties, and basically all levels of government from federal to local — all came together to figure out a new path forward. With climate change and a reduced winter snowpack presenting new challenges and making water supplies more scarce both in- and out-of-stream, there’s a lot at stake for everyone.

At the heart of the Yakima plan is a recognition of the value of healthy, flowing rivers. And, a recognition that we need balance. If we manage our water supplies wisely, we can have healthy farms, thriving fish and wildlife, and a healthy environment and economy.

What’s next?

Building on some major successes at the state level, including the protection of the Teanaway River watershed, we hope to soon see federal legislation introduced that authorizes the federal government’s share of funding for the first phase of the plan. At the same time, the full coalition behind the plan is actively pursuing Wild and Scenic designation for the upper Cle Elum River system, which includes important headwaters of the Yakima River and the spawning grounds for the salmon that will have permanent fish passage above Cle Elum Dam.

We will share the lessons of the Yakima with leaders in other river basins across the west. When we build trust and work together, we can achieve solutions that work for communities, farms, and rivers.

With a cool breeze blowing off the river, Jarrad looked up at the sunbaked limestone walls of the Auburn Quarry, a popular rock climbing area in the Auburn State Recreation Area along the Middle Fork of the American River, visualizing the moves required to get to the top of the 40 foot wall.

Twenty miles away on the South Fork of the American, Julie was getting ready to take her inflatable kayak down Trouble Maker, a class III rapid and one of the most rafted sections of river in California. Rock climbing and whitewater rafting are just two of the many popular outdoor activities for the millions of Americans who celebrated this Memorial Day Weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer and with it, a surge of people dust off their camping, fishing, and other outdoor gear and head outside. The influx of cash from people camping and buying supplies for s’mores, rafting, and fishing, not to mention filling up their cars at local gas stations to get out of town, is extremely important for rural towns across the US.

In 2013, 142.6 million Americans participated in an outdoor activity, many of which were on or enhanced by rivers.

Outdoor recreation is an important and often overlooked part of the US economy which contributes about $650 billion annually in direct spending resulting in over 6 million outdoor recreation jobs .

The Colorado River, American River’s Most Endangered River of 2015, alone accounts for $26 billion in economic outputs from river based recreation. Across the US, small rural towns that traditionally survived on boom and bust extraction industries now thrive with more sustainable recreation based industries like whitewater rafting.

As regional outdoor recreation economies are built up there is an increased motivation to protect the landscape that provides these opportunities. Local communities across the US have become increasingly aware of the economic value of healthy rivers and river-based recreation, and they are fighting to protect flows and water quality. American Rivers supports these efforts through its Blue Trails program by helping to improve water quality, river access, and recreational opportunities.

So go out! Enjoy the cool water during a river float, the rush of a trout’s tug on a line, or diversity of wildlife in a lush riparian area. And when you do go out, support the small towns that steward the rivers and wild places you enjoy.

Oh and here is a silly joke to share with your family, friends, or whoever you encounter on your journey. Why are rivers so rich? Because they have two banks! Ok and one more. What do fish wash their fins in? River Basins! Now go outside and enjoy!

Today, you delivered a victory for rivers. Thanks to supporters like you – including the one million Americans who submitted public comments – the Obama Administration finalized the Clean Water Protection Rule – a vital step toward safeguarding the nation’s clean drinking water. Few things are more fundamental to our health than clean water. No one should have to worry about pollution when they turn on the tap. This administration’s leadership in protecting our streams will benefit millions of Americans and our children and grandchildren.

The final Clean Water Protection Rule closes the loopholes that have allowed the drinking water sources of one in three Americans to be at risk for pollution. At a time when severe drought affects the supply of clean water for many communities, it is critically important that we do all we can to preserve and protect the water we have. Clean water is vital to life itself.

The Clean Water Protection Rule, written by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, clarifies which waters are, and which waters are not, protected by the Clean Water Act. The final rule has been needed since 2001, when the Supreme Court issued its ruling in SWANCC v. US Army Corps of Engineers. That decision cast a cloud over which waters are subject to federal protection under the Clean Water Act. A subsequent ruling by the Supreme Court in Rapanos v. United States further confounded the scope of the Clean Water Act.  This confusion placed millions of miles of streams, particularly headwater streams, and millions of acres of wetlands in jeopardy. Without federal protection under the Clean Water Act, polluters are able to dump toxic waste into streams and wetlands, and developers are able to dredge and fill these critical areas that are essential for drinking water supplies, fish and wildlife habitat, and flood protection.

The final rule is the result of extensive consultation with the public, local communities, state agencies, federal agencies, businesses, farmers, fishermen, tribes, and conservation groups, including American Rivers. The final Clean Water Protection Rule simultaneously addresses the concerns of stakeholders while also providing important protections for streams and wetlands across the United States.

As the nation’s leading advocate for protecting and restoring rivers, American Rivers applauds the Obama Administration for standing up for healthy rivers and clean drinking water. Protecting our clean water is an investment that will benefit the health of our families today, and will pay off for generations to come.

Guest post from Ben Bulis, President of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association and resident of Bozeman, Montana.

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Now that summer is almost upon us, millions of Americans will take to our nation’s waterways for boating, swimming, and fishing. We can enjoy these waterways thanks in large part to the protections provided to them by the Clean Water Act. The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are set to release their final rule clarifying which waters are protected under the Clean Water Act. This rule is expected to bring small streams and wetlands back into the jurisdiction of the Act. Congress is trying to stop the rulemaking process, but people like Ben Bulis are letting them know that the final rule is necessary.

On May 19, 2015 the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship held a hearing entitled, “An Examination of Proposed Environmental Regulation’s Impacts on America’s Small Business.” During this hearing, Ben Bulis, President of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA), presented the following testimony on the importance of the Clean Water Rule to the fly fishing industry:

AFFTA represents the business of fly fishing which includes manufacturers, retailers, outfitters and guides across the nation, who all share the same bottom line: furthering the sport and industry of fly fishing. This cannot be accomplished without clean water and vibrant fisheries habitat. The formula that drives AFFTA is very simple:  Access to healthy habitat creates recreational opportunity that drives economic activity and jobs.

Our industry provides the waders, rods, guides and boats that 47 million sportsmen and women utilize every time they step foot in their favorite piece of water. Their quality of experience, and thus our return sales to enhance those days, is dependent on access to clean water.

I am here to express our support for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to restore protections for our nation’s headwater streams and wetlands under the Clean Water Act. Simply put, the draft clean water rule is well crafted and appropriate, it should be allowed to move through the federal rulemaking process with support of Congress.

Here’s why.

The small waters to which this important draft rule applies are the lifeblood for many of our country’s prized fisheries. The health of these headwaters sets the tone and benefits for all waters downstream, supporting and creating even the backbone of our nation’s marine resources. They flow into rivers, streams and lakes that provide the foundation of our industry, thus eventually concluding the voyage in our oceans–our industry’s viability depends on intact watersheds, cold, clean rivers and streams and healthy, fishable habitat.

Given that fishing in America supports approximately 828,000 jobs, results in nearly $50 billion annually in retail sales and has an economic impact of about $115 billion every year (Sportfishing in America an Economic Force for Conservation, American Sportfishing Association, 2013), it stands to reason that the health of our nation’s waters is vital to the continued success of our industry, and to the health of America’s economy. We urge you to allow the rulemaking process to continue unimpeded, carefully review the final rule when it comes out, and then determine what, if any, legislative action is warranted. We owe it to the more than one million Americans who took the time to comment on the proposal to allow the process to reach a conclusion. More than 80% of those who commented on the proposal were in favor of it.  Such strong support for clean water and healthy watersheds is what our members experience every day as we interact with our customers across the Nation.

If we fail to protect our headwater streams and wetlands, we may destroy the $200 billion annual economy of the hunting and fishing industry, as well as put 1.5 million people out of work.

Of those 1.5 million jobs…many are located in rural areas with limited economic opportunities and few other employment options. Some of the best trout water in the lower 48 is located here in Montana, where our entire state population just recently broached a million residents. Because of access and quality of those trout waters…world-wide fly fishing companies such as Simms, RL Winston, Montana Fly Company and Bozeman Reel Company have decided to set up shop in our relatively rural location…and employ hundreds of people in the process. If those jobs are compromised due to a lack of clean water, what options do those employees have in our rural economies across the nation?

AFFTA members from the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Coast of Louisiana, the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, the Florida Keys, the Front Range of Colorado and the remote outfitters in Alaska are all funding their local economies by clean water and healthy fisheries.

From the flies to the rods to the rain jackets for the guides rowing clients down the river…none would be possible without clean water.

In recent years, participation in fly fishing has grown. We are seeing robust interest in our sport and it is translating to our sales, to the numbers of employees we hire right here in America, and to the health of brick-and-mortar retailers all over the country. The fly fishing industry is the epitome of small business, the sustainable domestic industry is dependent on clean fishable water.

But, in addition to being acutely interested in the health of our watersheds, we are also concerned that blocking this rulemaking process could turn back the clock on the progress our nation has made since the Clean Water Act was put into place more than 40 years ago. Today, rivers that were once polluted are home to remarkable runs of steelhead, salmon and brown trout. Streams that were once uninhabitable for native brook trout are now home to robust populations of these prized fish. What’s more, our country’s drinking water is healthier and safer.

Please consider the present state of our watersheds before interfering in a proven process that has generated more than 800,000 comments from the public in support of this rule. While we understand that politics these days can be tumultuous and rancorous, we strongly encourage you not to play politics with clean water.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area now, but I grew up on the East Coast in New Jersey. As far as the weather goes, I remember the four seasons in New Jersey as iconic and palpable.

My move to the Bay Area 12 years ago taught me about new seasons – the wet, stormy winters and the dry, often cool, summers. I adjusted and came to love the tempestuous drama of a California winter. I remember a March almost 10 years ago when it rained nearly every day. I was stunned and thrilled (and soggy).

Those wet winter storms just don’t seem to happen anymore. What happened to the Northern California weather I adjusted to and thrilled on?

I was talking about this over FaceTime with my Mom in New Jersey. She mentioned that the drought “out there” seems bad. Yes, it is, I said. And then I had a thought: Why should Americans who don’t live in the West care?

The fact is, California grows more than a third of the nation’s vegetables and almost two-thirds of its fruits and nuts. The drought’s bearing on agricultural production will most likely cause a nation-wide ripple effect on food prices, with Americans all over the country seeing their grocery store receipts inch up in cost. Lettuce and avocados in particular are expected to shoot up in price, as well as other staples such as tomatoes, peppers and broccoli.

California is also the world’s eighth-largest economy, mostly due to its agricultural base, and there will be nation-wide financial impact due the drought, especially if the winters ahead continue to be dry.

When it comes to the drought in California, no matter where you live in the States, it turns out that “out there” is really “right here.”

On a windy Earth Day morning I arrived in Madison, Virginia to attend Plow & Hearth’s Earth Day Celebration.  I had the pleasure to join a group of local, sustainable businesses who were tabling at the event. My favorite aspect of this Earth Day event was that there were so many ways for people to take sustainability home with them.  People who came to the American Rivers table had arms full of local produce from the “Mini-Farmers Market” that featured area farms, handcrafted spices, and local honey. They had also had the chance to visit the tables of an area organic compost business and learn about the sustainable products offered by Reuseit.com and VivaTerra.

It goes without saying that on this Earth Day sustainability was blowing in the wind. I had fun sharing with folks about the newly released American Rivers 2015 Most Endangered Rivers list and the great work all of the river cleanup organizers and volunteers are doing across the country. This was an exciting event and only just the beginning of the Earth Day activities for many Plow & Hearth employees.  At my table we were able to sign up volunteers for their very own river cleanup! On the following Friday 34 employees set out on the 4^th Annual Plow & Hearth River Clean-Up.  Over the past four years this cleanup has pulled over 2 tons of trash and debris from rivers and streams. On this Friday the volunteers cleaned up 1000 pounds of trash, 5 tires, a shopping cart, and a mini couch from the Rivanna River!  They even captured the fun they had at the river cleanup in a video, check it out below!

National River Cleanup was proud to partner with Plow & Hearth on Earth Day and we look forward to seeing even more trash cleaned up at next year’s cleanup!

Do you want to give back to your community and clean up your river? Organize a cleanup or volunteer with National River Cleanup today!

This is a guest post by Adam Rissien, Director of Clean Water at the Ohio Environmental Council & OEC Action Fund.

I started working for Ohio Environmental Council in August, one week after the infamous water crisis that left more than 500,000 people in Southern Michigan and the Greater Toledo area without water for over two days. The water crisis was from a harmful algal bloom formation over the City’s water intake, which spiked the levels of a toxin, microcystin, making the water unsafe for consumption. At nearly every meeting I attended the water crisis was brought up, and that hasn’t changed even nine months later.

Last month I attended the Lake Erie Water Conference that had a full agenda of presentations from a variety of professionals in many different fields. Senator Randy Gardner was among those giving speeches throughout the day. Gardner spoke briefly about the water crisis and how the Senate was addressing this issue. Insight to Senate Bill 1 was shared, and Gardner hoped it would be passed by the House and Senate and be on its way to the Governor’s desk in a week.

Senate Bill 1 was indeed passed and signed into law by the Ohio Governor, John Kasich. The new law aims to reduce Phosphorus pollution entering the Western Lake Erie Basin through the Maumee River and other tributaries. Emphasis on agricultural issues in the Western Lake Erie Basin contributing to the harmful algal bloom formations was addressed in this legislature. Sec. 1511.10 prohibits anyone in the Western Lake Erie basin to apply manure on snow-covered or frozen ground, when the top two inches of soil are saturated from precipitation, or when the local forecast for the area has a greater than 50% chance of precipitation exceeding a half inch in a 24 hour period. The legislature also addresses open lake dumping of dredge material in Lake Erie, with concerns of this also contributing to harmful algal blooms. The legislature prohibits the open lake disposal of dredge materials in Lake Erie by July 1, 2020.

The law will take effect on July 3, 2015.

Nearly 5 million people a year, from across the country and around the world, are drawn to the amazing expanse and wild nature of the Grand Canyon. Whether by viewing the incomprehensible beauty from along the rims, descending into the depths of the canyon on foot or atop a mule, or being one of the lucky souls to raft the Colorado River, the canyon speaks to so many people, in so many languages.

But aside from its inspiring views and humbling solitude, there is a trio of threats to the canyon, which spurred American Rivers to name the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon as America’s Most Endangered River in 2015. People across the country who identify with the canyon must understand that the canyon is facing the most severe threats since the Bridge and Marble Canyon dam projects were proposed (and later killed through forceful leadership and loud public outcry) in the 1970’s.

One of these threats may seem unexpected, as it is certainly outside the view of most visitors, but is of critical importance to the experience of enjoying the canyon, as well as the fragile life that lives within it. Between the canyon walls, among the world which author Kevin Fedarko likes to call “the world beneath the rims” lies a different kind of existence – the opposite of the grandeur and expanse that we know as the Grand Canyon, but an alternative one that is tucked into the canyon’s most precious, hidden retreats.

The seeps and springs and waterfalls of the inner Grand Canyon are critical, life sustaining sources of cool, clean water, for dozens of species of plants and animals that call these important places their home. But a potential plan that could include extraction of increasing amounts of groundwater from along the South Rim could dry up these inner-canyon oases permanently. The town of Tusayan, with its population hovering around 550 residents, is considering a dramatic expansion that could include the construction of over 2,000 new homes and over 3-million square feet of commercial space. This project could result in a substantial increase of new facilities, such as hotels, restaurants, a dude ranch, and a European-style spa – roughly the size of Minnesota’s Mall of America. And while that may not sound so bad, there is a critical question that remains unanswered…

Where will they get their water?

While no formal plan has yet to be released publicly about what the Italian development firm, Stilo Group, has in mind for the development’s new water supply, there have been rumblings that they are considering an increase of groundwater pumping, as well as an option to bring water in from afar by renovating an old coal-slurry line, or even to provide water to the town by train or semi-truck. If groundwater is on their mind, they should consider this – nearly two decades of hydrologic study has indicated that existing groundwater pumping at Tusayan is already having an impact on the natural resources within Grand Canyon National Park. Further pumping without a well-conceived, deliberate, and protective groundwater plan is a non-starter, and alternatives must be considered with the protection of groundwater within the park as the top priority.

Some of these treasures include Elves Chasm, Dripping Springs, and Havasu Falls – critical oasis within the canyon, and not just for people to play in or get a cool drink, but also supporting critical flora and fauna in some of the canyon’s harshest environments. These and other reasons are why we are concerned about the overall health of the canyon, and are inspiring the public to make their voice heard, and to encourage the Interior Department to lead efforts to protect the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River for all of us, for all time. By joining American Rivers, you will help us take action on these and other critical issues, while helping us continue to work every day for the permanent and comprehensive protection of our most iconic and cherished landscape. Your involvement is key to leaving this place as it is.

This video by Teresa Poulson with Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism highlights the deep connection the community has with the river, the challenges of balancing current uses and future growth with conservation and sustainability, and provides a snapshot of one town’s efforts to ensure that the river remains vibrant and flowing for generations to come.

American Rivers and the Hispanic Access Foundation are sparking a dialogue among tens of thousands of Latinos across the Colorado River basin, where one-third of the nation’s Latinos live and work, about the need for a healthy Colorado River.

Starting on Earth Day, April 22, congregations from Denver to Los Angeles began screening a Spanish-language version of the award-winning film, “I Am Red” as part of their discussions about protecting God’s creation, the importance of the Colorado River and its tributaries, and the need for conservation.

“The Colorado River connects us all, and when it comes to creating a better future for our communities we’re all in this together,” said Matt Rice, Colorado Basin Director for American Rivers.

“We must build a future that includes healthy rivers and state-of-the-art water conservation for cities and agriculture. By sharing the story of the Colorado River with communities across the Basin, we want to inspire a new generation of river stewards.”

In addition, the Hispanic Access Foundation in partnership with Por La Creación: Faith-based Alliance  will air the video at a conference of Latino faith leaders on May 23 in San Diego.Two hundred pastors are expected to participate, representing more than 3,000 youth from Western states. The video will also air at a June 13 event in Coachella, Calif. with 1,000 Latino youth expected to attend.

“The Colorado River is an integral part of our heritage and way of life, and by taking action now we can make strides in ensuring that future generation can continue to benefit from this tremendous resource,” said Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. “The Colorado River supports wildlife, tourism and our agricultural industry, but, demand on the river’s water now exceeds its supply, leaving the river so over-tapped that it dries up to a trickle before reaching the sea.”

American Rivers has named the Colorado River one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers for the past three years.  The river is threatened by outdated water management as well as harmful development projects and pollution in the Grand Canyon.

The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the southwest. Its water sustains over 35 million people and endangered fish and wildlife in seven states. The river drives a $1.4 trillion economy, according to a 2014 Arizona State University study. Dozens of rivers are part of the Colorado River system, including the Green River, Gila River, San Juan River, and the Gunnison River.  Over-allocation and drought have placed significant stress on water supplies and river health.

For more information in English visit www.AmericanRivers.org/Colorado in Spanish visit www.SoyRojo.org.

Today’s post is a guest blog by Susan Culp, our Verde River Coordinator.

I recently was lucky enough to join a U.S. Forest Service trip down the Verde River – a 3-day jaunt with staff from Prescott, Coconino and Tonto National Forest offices. The plan was to paddle from Beasley Flat to Childs River access point – a little over 17 river miles overall. I admit, as a paddling newbie, I looked forward to the trip with a mix of excitement and trepidation, but to my relief, I was not the only beginner, and we all knew that we would all be safe in the capable hands of the USFS river rangers.

As we organized our gear at Beasley Flat, Verde River Ranger Dexter Allen gave an overview of the trip, accompanied by river ranger colleagues Don Sullivan, Mike Roseman, and Brian. By the time we shoved off from Beasley Flat, the flows in the Verde River, which had been a bit higher earlier in the month due to some spring rain storms, had already tapered down to approximately . 2014 was a disappointing year for snowpack once again – extending a long series of years with low snowpack due to prolonged drought conditions and changes in precipitation patterns that we are seeing across the West.

Water levels will often change the nature of river hazards. Lower flows expose more rocks in the channel, making some rapids more difficult to navigate, while tempering others. On the first day, we navigated the safer routes along the Verde River, bypassing the Prefalls Rapid and, after lunch, lining our boats down the Verde Falls. Our first significant rapid – Off the Wall – was managed just fine by everyone. Apart from a few hang ups on rocks through Rock Garden Rapid, we were starting to get a better feel for the boats. We ended our first day at Palisades Rapid, and camped just below.

The next day was our longest on the river – and a big day for whitewater. We crashed through Bull Run, Punk Rock, Bushman, Big Pink and White Flash rapids – all without major mishap (although a few of us less experienced paddlers walked around some of the more dicey rapids). It was also a great day for sighting some of the rare raptor nesting sites, and observing a variety of changes on the landscape that . The canyons surrounding the Verde River provide quality nesting habitat for bald eagles, and Wild & Scenic protection of the Verde River corridor helps to sustain this vibrant population of these magnificent birds.

Our last day flew by, with just a few Class II riffles, and some sketchy meanders through trees, low hanging branches, and reeds. Before we knew it, we were arriving at Childs River access point, to unpack the boats and load up our gear. By the time we reached the end of our trip, flows had declined to about , due to the thirst of upstream communities. Inspite of the ongoing severe drought gripping Arizona and much of the Intermountain West, the journey was a testament to the Verde River’s resilience – and to the advocates who champion it – to keep it flowing for all those who enjoy and depend on the Verde River, well into the future.

A special thanks to the U.S. Forest Service staff and volunteers who participated in this trip, and otherwise made it all come together – Dexter Allen, Don Sullivan, Mike Roseman, Brian (whose last name I sadly can’t recall – sorry!), Jennifer Burns, Omero Torres, Albert Sillas, Julie Rowe, Janie Agyagos, and the USFS volunteers who drove us to the put in at Beasley and back from the take out at Childs. Thank you also to Chip Norton with Friends of the Verde River Greenway for his tips and guidance on the river.

Today’s post is a guest blog by Craig Colten. Craig is professor of geography at LSU, Director of Human Dimensions at the Water Institute of the Gulf, and author of Southern Waters: The Limits to Abundance.

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I was driving across eastern Virginia toward the Dismal Swamp a couple of years ago, and I spotted yet another great landscape irony. On the edge of one of the South’s former great wetlands, farmers were irrigating their fields. Artificial rain was falling on ground that had been the target of drainage plans since the colonial era. What may seem shocking in a place noted for having too much water is an increasingly common practice.

Eastern Virginia is not the only place were agriculturalist no longer have the patience to wait for natural rainfall. In southwest North Carolina, I’ve seen irrigation used in places with 80 inches of rainfall a year! Georgia and Mississippi farmers boosted irrigated acreage by over 45 percent between 1997 and 2012. In Tennessee and South Carolina, the totals leapt over 75 percent. The startling issue is that irrigation demands huge amounts of water and this is increasing competition for water across the region.

The American South has long stood in contrast to the West as a region with ample, if not an overabundance of water. The region’s history is replete with struggles to drain wetlands, fight off floods, and control diseases associated with watery environs. Recent droughts have revealed potential shortages and inspired farmers to install equipment to deliver water on demand. Climate change may exacerbate seasonal shortages.

At the same time that farmers are pumping water onto their fields the region’s cities are growing, creating new demands for water. As we watch California grapple with its water crisis, is it time to begin thinking about sensible water management practices in the South and even national-scale agricultural adjustments?

I think a promising arena of water management lies in the geographic adjustment of crops. In places like Louisiana, where massive sums of money are invested to drain sugar cane fields, are there other crops that need more water and would be better suited to the rich alluvial lands along the Mississippi? Are there crops that can be grown on the flanks of the Dismal Swamp that might not survive in southern California with more years of drought, but would thrive in eastern Virginia even without irrigation?

Water managers need to consider not just water availability, current uses, and how we might stretch the supply to meet future needs, but they need to imagine realignments of water uses to fit the local supplies as part of national demands.