> I've thought for some time that we could use a gigantic cross-country storm-water system, so that when one area gets too much rain, some of the excess could be gathered and pumped to some area that has a drought. Unfortunately, such grand schemes tend to be very expensive.

It can be done. It helps if the area with too much rain is uphill from the dry areas, but you still have to build a system. People in California can tell you all about that.

In Hawaii, there are places where water was channeled from the wet side to the dry side. The channels, including some tunnels were built before the English, Americans, etc. ever got there. High islands in the Trade Winds always have a wet side and a dry side.

I'd like to send some of our heavy rain to the brush fire areas out west.
Howard