Inflation adjusted… those canals cost $50 billion to construct and the project took decades. It would cost far more now, since getting access to the land rights would be incredibly expensive now, and they’re already not providing enough water so if more canals were to be built, they needed to start construction 20 years ago.
Upgrading the canals with shade and other improvements can potentially double the amount of water they provide, that’s how much is lost compared to a regular closed in underground pipe.
Solar panels won’t get it to the same efficiency as an underground pipe but it’ll be a major improvement, and unlike regular shade structures (which are very expensive to build), solar shade costs about the same upfront but provides ongoing revenue. It’s an absolute no brainer to do this.
Nobpdies expecting unlimited water access besides stupid farmers and stupid rich people. Phoenix for example has rather strict laws on population expansion because of this if memory serves me right. But the dumbfucks growing fucking alfalfa use our rather esoteric and outdated water laws, atleast here in California. Even rice would be better since the fields can serve triple as water foul refuge and fish spawning pools.
Inflation adjusted… those canals cost $50 billion to construct and the project took decades. It would cost far more now, since getting access to the land rights would be incredibly expensive now, and they’re already not providing enough water so if more canals were to be built, they needed to start construction 20 years ago.
Upgrading the canals with shade and other improvements can potentially double the amount of water they provide, that’s how much is lost compared to a regular closed in underground pipe.
Solar panels won’t get it to the same efficiency as an underground pipe but it’ll be a major improvement, and unlike regular shade structures (which are very expensive to build), solar shade costs about the same upfront but provides ongoing revenue. It’s an absolute no brainer to do this.
Or…hear me out… People don’t live in the damn desert and expect to have unlimited access to water.
Nobpdies expecting unlimited water access besides stupid farmers and stupid rich people. Phoenix for example has rather strict laws on population expansion because of this if memory serves me right. But the dumbfucks growing fucking alfalfa use our rather esoteric and outdated water laws, atleast here in California. Even rice would be better since the fields can serve triple as water foul refuge and fish spawning pools.