average american, are consuming more than 300 gallons of california water each week by eating the food that is produced here. these kinds of crops, kinds of stuff like almonds which you ve got, cantaloupes, they this is the climate they need. they don t want rain. right. they don t like rain during their season. they are take like the people in california. we like the sun all summer long. we like it warm and the crops are the same way. we want the rain in the winter. we want it in the mountains 400 miles away. that s where they capture is and bring it to us. these crops, because they re not going to get any rain, they need water so we irrigate them. reporter: where does the water come from to produce this food? much of it comes from here, the sierra nevada mountains where every spring the melting snowpack replenishes the state s crucial reservoirs. right now that snowpack is at historic lows. that means the state s reservoirs are in trouble. i m standing in front of peter s c
historic lows. that means the state s reservoirs are in trouble. i m standing in front of peter s canyon reservoir and that dusty patch of white behind me is where the water should be. with reservoirs running dry, farmers are turning to groundwater. over time, groundwater accumulates in vast underground aquifers. but no you, over the past few years, groundwater levels have dropped 50 feet or more as farmers drill deeper and deeper to access it. today we do set in law a framework that has been resisted for long, long time. since before my father was even governor. reporter: just last year, california became the last state in the west to regulate groundwater usage. the state s first-ever mandatory water restrictions soon followed. we re in an historic drought, and that demands unprecedented action. reporter: a 25% reduction in water usage state wide has forced residents and businesses to cut back. farmers with rights to
i m standing in front of peter s canyon reservoir and that dusty patch of white behind me is where the water should be. with reservoirs running dry, farmers are turning to groundwater. over time, groundwater accumulates in vast underground aquifers. but no you, over the past few years, groundwater levels have dropped 50 feet or more as farmers drill deeper and deeper to access it. today we do set in law a framework that has been resisted for long, long time. since before my father was even governor. reporter: just last year, california became the last state in the west to regulate groundwater usage. the state s first-ever mandatory water restrictions soon followed. we re in an historic drought, and that demands unprecedented action. reporter: a 25% reduction in water usage state wide has forced residents and businesses to cut back. farmers with rights to california water dating back to over a century ago are also
as i mentioned at the top of the hour there s a reason i m standing here in front of peters canyon reservoir in orange county, california. here is what this reservoir looked like in 1966. here s what it looked like just four years ago, and here s what it looks like now. bone dry. this is what it looks like where the water supply is low, in a state where everyone is fighting for every last drop. much more on what s happening in california when we come back. .. .and more vitamin d. hey terry stop they have a special! so, what did you guys think of the test drive? i love the jetta. but what about a deal? terry, stop! it s quite alright. ok, you know what? we want to make a deal with you. we re twins, so could you give us two for the price of one? come on, give us a deal. look at how old i am. do you come here often? he works here, terry! you work here, right? yes. ok let s get to the point.
the hour, there s a reason i m standing here in front of peters canyon reservoir in orange county, california. here is what this reservoir looked like in 1966. here s what it looked like just four years ago, and here s what it looks like now. bone dry. this is what it looks like where the water supply is low, in a state where everyone is fighting for every last drop. much more on what s happening in california when we come back.