http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/cira-framework-precip-fig-1-download.png

The year is 2050, and folks now know that climate change is real. As the planet warms, precipitation patterns have changed across the

country, with some states getting more precipitation than normal (based on the average from 1900 – 1980), and others getting less. Extreme

rain or drought events are becoming more common. In California, the overall warming trend has resulted in a reduced annual snowpack—water

that originally fell as snow is now falling as rain. Thus, reservoirs that used to be replenished by snowmelt during the summer are now

regularly running dry in early June. California’s agricultural industry has suffered dramatically, as there is not enough water to

irrigate crops in the summer and fall. Many Californians have moved away due to necessary, but harsh, April-through-November water

restrictions.

1) Choose a city from the list below (OR see extra credit opportunity below).

Phoenix, Arizona San Diego, California Sacramento, California Palm Springs, California

2) WATER BUDGET OF 2050 and SUMMARY PARAGRAPH (8 POINTS/3 POINTS)
Using the precipitation (“precip”) and potential evapotranspiration (“pet”) data (from Lab 4) as a starting point, create a revised Water

Budget table (like the one you did for HW for Lab 6) that anticipates the condition of your city in the year 2050.
• Use the link provided on Blackboard to determine the new monthly precipitation amount for your city based on the “Reference” model for

2050. The “Reference” model assumes that global greenhouse gas emissions trends have remained unchanged from the present
• As result of an anticipated 2° C (~4° F) temperature increase for the planet, calculate an increase in potential evapotranspiration that

is equivalent to ½ the decrease in precipitation. For example: If you found your city will have a 10% decrease in precipitation, then

calculate a 5% increase in potential evapotranspiration for each month. Assume storage is at 100 mm to begin the month that follows your

location’s wettest month.
• Write a one-paragraph summary of your Water Budget in which you describe the months where there is a natural surplus, deficits, when

there is soil moisture utilization (storage is decreasing), and when there is soil moisture recharge (storage is increasing).

4) WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL (8 POINTS)
As mentioned, extreme precipitation events (droughts, floods) have become more common across the county. In response to this, write a

proposal for your city in which you describe to city leaders the types of water conservation measures that should be put into place for

your city and its region by 2050. Include suggestions of how the city should manage any water surpluses that may occur throughout the year

in order to cope with anticipated water shortages. You should research and take into account your city’s existing municipal water source

(s) in your answer. Be both realistic and specific. Minimum discussion will merit minimum points awarded.

5) FORMAT and GRAMMAR (4 POINTS)
a. Your paper should be 1.5 – 2 pages in length.
b. There should be smooth transitions between paragraphs (in your proposal), with correct spelling and grammar. Organization of

information is crucial.
c. Please use 12-point font, double spacing, 1-inch margins.

EXTRA CREDIT (+4 POINTS): Instead, choose a different city in California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, western Colorado, western New Mexico, or

southern Oregon. You will need to do research to find average monthly precipitation and average monthly potential evapotransporation data

for this city, CITE YOUR SOURCE of this information, and complete the assignment in the manner described.

CITATION & PLAGIARISM: It is assumed for this paper that your sources will be your labs, the textbook, the “Weather and Climate Data”

document, and possibly Google Earth, so citing these sources is not necessary for this paper (except extra credit). HOWEVER, please note

that all other elements of this paper will be your own, original work. All university policies regarding plagiarism and academic honesty

apply.