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Three men and one woman pose for the camera, wearing hats and holding shovels. They are surrounded by earth, trees, and other nature.
Men and women mining for gold during the California Gold Rush.

The California Gold Rush explodes the population and increases water demands.

1850

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Men and women mining for gold during the California Gold Rush.

The West Coast has a natural flood/drought cycle. As the population grows and agriculture explodes, an irrigation system that is dependent on dams, constructed rivers, and lakes is erected. The irrigation projects are built to channel rainwater and, in particular, snowmelt towards irrigation for agriculture.