Doncha love the serenity in the image! .. such serenity is harder to find in the overall climate picture .. this is key, from another of the links in the top one ..
Colorado River Drought Forces a Painful Reckoning for States [...]
Studies now show that the 20th century was one of the three wettest of the last 13 centuries in the Colorado basin. On average, the Colorado’s flow over that period was actually 15 percent lower than in the 1900s. And most experts agree that the basin will get even drier: A brace of global-warming studies concludes that rising temperatures will reduce the Colorado’s average flow after 2050 by five to 35 percent, even if rainfall remains the same — and most of those studies predict that rains will diminish. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/us/colorado-river-drought-forces-a-painful-reckoning-for-states.html?_r=0
Selection of Crops For Drought Conditions by Roy L. Thompson
What crop uses the least water? What crop is the most resistant to drought? Different plant species vary greatly in terms of the amount of water that can be lost before a plant reaches the permanent wilting point (PWP). They also have different vulnerable or critical periods when limited moisture is likely to reduce yields. Some plant varieties perform better than others in terms of water use efficiency, meaning it takes less water to produce a given amount of dry matter. These characteristics help producers make wise choices when deciding what crops to plant. In making the choice of which crop to use, one must also consider planting date. In general, earlier planting dates are preferable
Rate of Maturation
Millet's quick development and maturation allow it to utilize moisture stored in the upper part of the soil profile before evaporation and drought take their tole, thus making it a relatively drought resistant crop. Similar to millet, beans also mature fairly early. Because of their quick maturation, navy beans blossom over a short period of time, meaning a brief heat wave or dry spell during blossoming could adversely affect the yield. Pinto beans, soybeans, and buckwheat [ note: not wheat related .. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckwheat ] blossom over a prolonged period of time; thus, the critical period for pollination and filling is spread over a greater time period, giving some degree of drought resistance.
California temperatures could reach 130F as heat wave hits western US [...]
The heat was so punishing that rangers took up positions at trailheads at Lake Mead in Nevada to persuade people not to hike. Zookeepers in Phoenix hosed down the elephants and fed tigers frozen fish snacks. Dogs were at risk of burning their paws on scorched pavement, and airlines kept close watch on the heat for fear that it could cause flights to be delayed. http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=89511027
The conservative Republican Tea Party dolts that don't believe in climate change and how it's going to change our landscape.
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