Where Does the Water Go?

For Laguna Salada, water mostly comes from far-off places. When it rains heavily in the mountains, like the Sierra de Juárez, or when rivers like the New River and Hardy River (which start far north and collect water as they flow south) carry water, it can sometimes reach the Laguna Salada basin. However, because it’s so hot and dry, much of this water evaporates before it even gets there, or it sinks into the ground. Laguna Salada is a “terminal basin,” which means water flows in, but it doesn’t flow out to the ocean. So, any water that does arrive eventually just disappears into the air or soaks into the earth.

For a coastal city like Ensenada, located to the west of Laguna Salada, water comes from different sources. They mainly rely on underground water supplies, called “aquifers,” which are like natural sponges holding water deep below the ground. As the city grows and uses more water, these aquifers can get empty. Because of this, Ensenada is also looking into “desalination,” which is a fancy way of taking salt out of ocean water to make it drinkable. Both Laguna Salada and Ensenada are part of the same bigger region that struggles with having enough water.

How Climate Change Adds to the Thirst

One of the biggest reasons for these water problems is something called climate change. The Earth’s temperature is getting warmer, and this has a direct impact on the Laguna Salada water supply:

• More Evaporation: When it’s hotter, more water evaporates from rivers, lakes, and even the soil before it can be used. It’s like leaving a glass of water out on a sunny day – it disappears faster.
• Less Rain, More Droughts: Climate change can lead to less predictable rainfall. Sometimes there are very heavy, sudden storms, but often there are long periods with very little rain, called droughts. This means less water flowing into the Laguna Salada basin and less water refilling those underground aquifers.
• Shrinking Snow: If the water sources for rivers come from mountains, warmer temperatures can mean less snow builds up in winter. Snow acts like a natural reservoir, slowly melting and feeding rivers in spring and summer. Less snow means less water for everyone.

All these changes lead to more severe water scarcity, making it even harder to meet the needs of a growing population and thirsty farms.

Smart Ways to Save Water

• Water Conservation Practices

  This means using less water in our daily lives. Simple things like fixing leaky faucets, taking shorter showers, and using low-flow toilets can make a big difference. Outside, choosing plants that don’t need much water (like desert-friendly native plants) for landscaping helps a lot too.

• Innovative Irrigation Techniques

  For farms, older watering methods can waste a lot of water. New techniques are much smarter:

  • Drip Irrigation: Instead of spraying water everywhere, drip irrigation uses tubes with small holes that slowly drip water directly onto the roots of plants. This means very little water is lost to evaporation.
  • Smart Sensors: Farmers can use special sensors in the soil that tell them exactly when and how much water plants need. This stops them from overwatering and wasting precious resources.

• Water Recycling

  Another smart idea is to clean and reuse “wastewater” (water that’s already been used in homes or factories) for things like watering parks or for industrial uses. This takes pressure off fresh water supplies.

Big Ideas and Smart Rules

Beyond individual actions, bigger plans and rules are needed:

• Better Water Management

  Governments and communities need to work together to create fair rules for how water is shared among homes, farms, and businesses. This includes keeping track of how much water is available and making sure it’s used wisely.

• Protecting Water Sources

  It’s important to protect the places where water comes from, like rivers and underground aquifers, from pollution and overuse.

The Role of Active Climate Rescue Initiative

Organizations are also stepping up to help. For instance, an organization called the Active Climate Rescue Initiative is stepping up to help. They are working on new solutions to ease the Laguna Salada water shortages. This includes looking at ways to improve water management, promote sustainable farming, and develop community-based programs that teach people how to use water wisely and become part of the solution for a more secure Laguna Salada water supply.

Connecting the Drops: Laguna Salada and the Great Basin

While they are far apart, Laguna Salada and the Great Basin (a huge dry area mostly in the US, known for its own disappearing lakes like the Great Salt Lake) face similar challenges. Both are “terminal basins” where water flows in but doesn’t flow out to the ocean. By finding smart ways to manage water, restore the environment, and make the Laguna Salada region more water-secure, we create a powerful example.

The lessons learned here about water conservation, innovative irrigation, and smart policy in a challenging desert environment can provide a blueprint for how to tackle the even larger water crisis facing the Great Basin. By “repairing” and improving the Laguna Salada’s water future, we show that thoughtful, long-term sustainability plans *can* work in dry lands, offering hope and practical strategies for similar regions around the world.