What is one main challenge during drought conditions in California?

During drought conditions in California, one significant challenge is the increased reliance on groundwater. As surface water sources become scarce due to reduced rainfall and higher evaporation rates, many communities and agricultural sectors turn to groundwater to meet their water needs. This shift can strain already overdrawn aquifers, leading to long-term sustainability issues. Overextraction can result in problems such as land subsidence, reduction of water quality, and ecological degradation, creating a cycle of dependency on a finite resource that is not being replenished adequately during dry periods.

In contrast, increased river flows would typically occur with abundant rainfall, higher water quality suggests improvements in current conditions, and the expansion of agricultural lands might not be feasible during drought, as water scarcity limits agricultural expansion. Thus, reliance on groundwater is a critical response to drought but also poses significant environmental and hydrological challenges.