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Editor's note: This is the second story of a two-part series, continued from the May 10 issue.

PORTERVILLE, Calif. - The water situation in some areas of California has gone from bad to dire.
"We've met repeatedly with the irrigation district to see what water is available and there's nothing out there. Nothing is available," said Tom Barcellos, who milks 1,400 cows on two farms in Tulare County near Porterville, Calif.
Barcellos and other farmers in central California are struggling to find enough water to keep all aspects of their agricultural entities running.
"Since April, we knew there would be some opportunities (to get water). There were some northern rains that developed, which we were anticipating, but we weren't able to capture on any of them," Barcellos said.
Area farmers were also trying to use water that flowed through the California Delta, an expansive natural system of rivers and waterways that flows through the western edge of the Central Valley; however, because of rules to protect the fish, they were denied the water flowing out to the ocean.
"There was a lot of water that went right past us. That was the most frustrating part," Barcellos said. "Any water used for agriculture is for everyone because it grows food and fiber. I guess the fish will be here, but we won't."
There are no short-term answers for the problem at the moment, Barcellos said.
"We don't have any surface water. We haven't had any all year ... we know we're not going to get any surface water right now ... period," he said.
Water from wells is their only current way to get ahold of the precious resource. Even that option is becoming sparse.
"Every well is gradually tapering off, but are tapering off in varying degrees. My wells have all dropped in production," Barcellos said. "The aquifers are monitored on a regular basis because it's going down at an understandable rate. There is no question there are concerns."
Because of this, changes are being made to Barcellos' farm.
"The cows are drinking all the water they want. Animal welfare is at the top of our list," Barcellos said.
But their crops are hurting. Barcellos didn't plant any corn and their irrigation rights have been cut in half.
"We're not making top yields, but we're making what we can," said Barcellos, who is also buying hay at over $300 a ton to make up for the loss of corn and alfalfa.
With so many people drawing from the ground water, all wells are losing efficiency as the water table drops.
"You can't get a well driller for at least the next six months. You can only put so many straws in a cup," Barcellos said.
Even wells in towns are sitting at the bottom capacity.
"This is not just an agricultural thing, this is a community thing," Barcellos said. "We have cities and communities we have to worry about, too. That's where our friends and employees live."
All residents are being asked to stop watering landscape, get minimal car washes, wash full loads of laundry and flush toilets only when needed. Restaurants only put water on tables when people ask for it.
"We have to conserve water in every way possible," Barcellos said.
For some farmers, the situation has been too challenging. One of Barcellos neighbors leveled 160 acres of almond trees in order to save a small portion of his farm. Another dairy producer to the north of Barcellos sold his cows a few weeks ago because of the pressure from the dry conditions.
"He lost his love for dairy in 2009 and 2012 and decided he couldn't make money," Barcellos said.
And that dairyman is not alone. Barcellos said others in the area are considering selling their herd.
"We are definitely concerned about what kind of winter we will have," Barcellos said. "It's a disaster waiting to happen."
For now, Barcellos will continue on his dairying venture with the hope that water will come his way in the future.
"We're just trying to do what we can so we can make it (dairying) long-term," Barcellos said.
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