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'The Dreamt Land' Explores How California Bent its Rivers Toward Political Power

In "The Dreamt Land" author Mark Arax describes "the most dramatic alteration of the earth's surface in human history": California's Central Valley. Arax details how the promise of unprecedented harvests and profits led to policy and infrastructure that altered -- and in some cases reversed -- the flow of water in the state. We'll talk to Arax about California's water history and its current groundwater crises. What's your question for him?
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The California Aqueduct on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley north of Los Banos. March 2015.  (Dan Brekke/KQED)

In “The Dreamt Land” author Mark Arax describes “the most dramatic alteration of the earth’s surface in human history”: California’s Central Valley. Arax details how the promise of unprecedented harvests and profits led to policy and infrastructure that altered — and in some cases reversed — the flow of water in the state. We’ll talk to Arax about California’s water history and its current groundwater crises. What’s your question for him?

Guests:

Mark Arax, author, "The Dreamt Land: Chasing Water and Dust Across California"

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