Drought's haves, have-nots push for water-sharing in US West

Oregon farmers who grow 60% of the world's carrot seed have been without irrigation water for weeks as drought ravages the American West. But just 20 miles down the road, sprinklers douse crops and cattle graze in green pastures. American West's arcane water law — 'first in time, first in line' — means some farmers still have plentiful water while others have none. A reservoir with desperately low levels of water. In Oregon, landscapes turned into racked dirt lines, empty irrigation canals, dust devils and tumbleweeds. An informal call for patrons with senior water rights to send water to their less fortunate neighbours this summer, for example, landed with a thud when only a handful of people stepped forward due to the bureaucracy involved. For now, farmers in irrigation districts with lower water seniority are just trying to hang on, with few alternatives in sight. After the third year of crippling drought, even a drenching winter won't rescue their fields. Now, the very question arises that if the drought has ravaged the area yielding 60% of the world's carrot, is this an indication towards a shortage of carrots tomorrow?