A quick glance shows that many of the highest unemployment rates are in the West. California’s unemployment rate is 5.9 percent. Nevada’s is 6.7. New Mexico’s is 6.8. Upon deeper examination it is clear that many state-specific factors influence these high unemployment rates. For California, one obvious culprit is the drought. Given that agriculture accounts for 3 percent of jobs and 80 percent of water usage in California, a lack of rain creates various, multiplying effects.