<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
Can you tell me some of the history of water resources in California related to the current drought?
<|assistant|>
The history of water resources in California are closely linked to the current drought. Prior to European settlement, the state of California had extensive wetlands that were home to large wildlife populations, as well as sources of clean, fresh water. 

However, with population growth, urban sprawl, and the damming of rivers to build reservoirs and create hydroelectric power, the amount of available water in California has drastically declined. During the past several decades, California’s population has grown rapidly, leading to a large-scale disruption to the state’s water cycle, resulting in water shortage and drought.

To make matters worse, in recent years many large agricultural companies in the state have been given permission to pump groundwater from beneath the parched land, further exacerbating the water crisis and leading to an estimated $2.2 billion loss for California’s economy due to the drought. This destruction of valuable water resources has placed many communities in the state under the threat of water-borne illness and environmental destruction. In order to conserve water resources, the governor of California recently declared a state of emergency and implemented water-saving regulations and guidelines. While implementing these regulations and taking other measures could help restore California’s wetlands, the drought is expected to last at least through next year.