Seems like only last week stockbroker types were telling us the fracking boom would give us centuries of cheap oil and gas. Another similarity between the US and Australia is that Pacific coast LNG exports could be a massive blunder as both countries will need all that gas and more at home. For example when diesel gets expensive the trucking industry may switch en masse to compressed natural gas.

I understand a looming El Nino may bring drought to Australia and floods to the US. That may earn the frackers a reprieve. BTW those converting gallons to megalitres should note US and Imperial gallons are different. Fortunately our gigajoule and their million British thermal units are nearly identical they just like to be different.

Tas:
Only 40% of El Ninos, result in drought, particularly, if you factor in an Indian Ocean dipole, turning negative and bringing more moisture onshore from the west.
One can understand the Californian concern, given the possibly resultant salination of increasingly precious ground water.
California has a large coastline and ample opportunities to replace fresh water with ocean water, either desal, or just by placing, wrapped in membrane ag pipes underground, and pumping (wind or wave pumps) sea water around/thruogh them!
Desalination works much more efficiently, when an external vacuum is applied as opposed to internal pressure; and there are any number of valuable crops/plants, that have more water pulling power than pumps.
I just don't think the situation or that which is increasingly impacting on our own southern states is going to do anything except, gradually worsen!
And CSG, also provides usable water!
If the aforementioned mop crops are grown under glass, then the pristine evaporate can be collected, reused and reused!
It is just a matter of rolling out the necessary infrastructure!
Just prior to WW11, the US and we, were going through economic doldrums. Yet, and in spite of already crippling debt, we and they found the trillions needed for the war effort.
This situation is not less but more threatening; and given water is the basis of all wealth, they should just crack on providing more of it.
And I agree, they and we should keep our gas, to refuel our own economies!
Rhrosty.