[rconti]

This is the absolute best long read I've seen on the Colorado River and California water rights.

Interestingly, many forms of water conservation for agriculture actually have a negative impact. If farmers keep the same allocation but use it more efficiently, they're able to grow more, and there's less runoff so less groundwater recharge and less return to the river.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/05/25/the-disappearin...