A field of drought-stricken almond trees in the Central Valley await the chipper. Scarcity of water has always been an issue in the valley, some parts of which get only about 10 inches of rain a year.

A field of drought-stricken almond trees in the Central Valley await the chipper. Scarcity of water has always been an issue in the valley, some parts of which get only about 10 inches of rain a year.

Workers fixing a leak in a farm's irrigation system. In the drought, two simple, if contradictory, themes have emerged among farmers: One, we’re all in this together. Two, it’s every man for himself.

Workers fixing a leak in a farm's irrigation system. In the drought, two simple, if contradictory, themes have emerged among farmers: One, we’re all in this together. Two, it’s every man for himself.

Parvinder Hundal next to a canal adjacent to his almond orchards, water to which he has no rights at the moment.

Parvinder Hundal next to a canal adjacent to his almond orchards, water to which he has no rights at the moment.

Parvinder Hundel stands next to a new reservoir he has created in anticipation of a new well being drilled.

Parvinder Hundel stands next to a new reservoir he has created in anticipation of a new well being drilled.

Drilling equipment on an almond farm. With the expansion of agriculture in the Central Valley and the planting of thirsty, year-round crops like almonds, the demand for water is much greater.

Drilling equipment on an almond farm. With the expansion of agriculture in the Central Valley and the planting of thirsty, year-round crops like almonds, the demand for water is much greater.

A farm served by the San Luis Canal Company, which manages the water supply for about 45,000 acres in California.

A farm served by the San Luis Canal Company, which manages the water supply for about 45,000 acres in California.

Chase Hurley, the manager of the San Luis Canal Company. “Based on current California law,” he said, “you can dig as many holes as you want.”

Chase Hurley, the manager of the San Luis Canal Company. “Based on current California law,” he said, “you can dig as many holes as you want.”

Mr. Hurley driving beside a canal managed by his company.

Mr. Hurley driving beside a canal managed by his company.

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Cannon Michael of the Bowles Farming Company with his sons. He summarized the problem some California farmers face because of land subsidence: “Water traditionally flowed with gravity. It isn’t going to run uphill.”

Cannon Michael of the Bowles Farming Company with his sons. He summarized the problem some California farmers face because of land subsidence: “Water traditionally flowed with gravity. It isn’t going to run uphill.”

Flood Irrigation, a controversial method of water management, is still in use on many farms, despite the existence of more efficient methods of water distribution.

Flood Irrigation, a controversial method of water management, is still in use on many farms, despite the existence of more efficient methods of water distribution.

Flood Irrigation, a controversial method of water management, is still in use on many farms, despite the existence of more efficient methods of water distribution.

Flood Irrigation, a controversial method of water management, is still in use on many farms, despite the existence of more efficient methods of water distribution.

Possible solutions to the water shortage, like using pipes to connect farms so they can share water more efficiently, could take years to put in place.

Possible solutions to the water shortage, like using pipes to connect farms so they can share water more efficiently, could take years to put in place.

Possible solutions to the water shortage, like using pipes to connect farms so they can share water more efficiently, could take years to put in place.

Possible solutions to the water shortage, like using pipes to connect farms so they can share water more efficiently, could take years to put in place.

A small tributary of the California Aqueduct System.

A small tributary of the California Aqueduct System.