UC Merced

Different activities utilize water resources at different rates, rely on different water sources, and thus have a different “footprint” in regard to their water demand. However, the water footprint of these activities differs depending on the region and the time when the activity occurs. In popular literature, the footprint metric has seen some success in the ability to represent the large magnitude of human resource consumption, to more relatable per-capita quantities. However, these depictions are often based on global surveys that mask regional variability in water use. This thesis presents a framework for agricultural water footprint assessment, implemented using free and open source software. It explores the variability of the water footprint of select agricultural activities in the State of California from 2008 through 2015. The results describe a diverse landscape of water use variability driven primarily by crop choice. The study reveals that crop specific water footprints can have significant, inter-annual variability, independent of climatic conditions. Supported by water distribution infrastructure, agricultural activities can be found across the state. Water footprint assessments can be used by growers and resource managers, who wish to maximize utility per unit of water allocated, planners who wish to understand national risks and strengths, or the informed citizen who wishes to evaluate the sustainability of their consumptive activities.