Not enough water to go around: Colorado River Basin, ravaged by drought, plans for a drier future

Summary

The Colorado River, a vital water source for the southwest United States, is facing a severe crisis due to an ongoing drought and over-allocation. The river, which supports major cities, fertile agricultural lands, and significant economic activity, has seen its reservoirs, Lake Powell and Lake Mead, drop to dangerously low levels. With the river's water supply dwindling, mandatory cutbacks have been implemented, affecting agriculture and urban growth. The situation highlights the urgent need for water conservation, reevaluation of water rights, and adaptation to a hotter, drier climate.

Takeaways

• 🌊 The Colorado River is in a critical condition due to an unsustainably low water level, affecting a region that relies heavily on it for various needs.
• 🏙️ The river supports the water supply of some of the country's fastest-growing cities, including agriculture and economic activities worth 1.4 trillion dollars annually.
• 🌾 The river's water is essential for irrigating farms that produce 90% of the U.S.'s winter greens, highlighting the agricultural dependency on the river.
• 🔍 The script discusses the historical over-allocation of the river's water, indicating that the current demand exceeds the supply, especially in the face of a 23-year drought.
• 🌍 The Colorado River Basin encompasses seven states and 30 Native American tribes, all of which are impacted by the water scarcity.
• 🏞️ The script describes the visible effects of the drought, such as the 'bathtub rings' around Lake Powell and Lake Mead, indicating the significant drop in water levels.
• 🏛️ The Colorado River's water is also crucial for hydroelectric power generation, which is threatened as water levels in reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell fall.
• 💧 The federal government's declaration of a water shortage has led to mandatory cutbacks, significantly impacting areas like Pinal County, Arizona, which faces a 70% reduction in water allocation.
• 🌱 The script highlights the efforts of farmers to adapt to water shortages, including selling land to solar farms and improving irrigation efficiency.
• 🤝 There is a push for collaborative solutions, such as the Colorado River Indian Tribes leaving fields uncultivated to conserve water and the state of Arizona compensating them for their losses.
• 🏗️ Despite the crisis, there are proposals for large-scale projects like Utah's billion-dollar pipeline, which would further strain the already dwindling Lake Powell.

Q & A

What is the current condition of the Colorado River?

The Colorado River is in a critical condition due to an unsustainably low water level, which has been ongoing for almost two years.

What was the federal government's response to the water shortage on the Colorado River?

The federal government declared the first-ever water shortage on the Colorado River, which triggered mandatory cutbacks to water supplies in the southwest.

How does the Colorado River contribute to the economy?

The Colorado River powers 1.4 trillion dollars in annual economic activity, highlighting its significant economic impact.

What are the two largest reservoirs in the United States mentioned in the script?

The two largest reservoirs in the United States mentioned are Lake Powell and Lake Mead.

What is the impact of climate change on the Colorado River as described in the script?

Climate change has significantly reduced the flows of the Colorado River since the year 2000, contributing to the current crisis.

How much has the water level in Lake Powell and Lake Mead dropped since 2000?

Since 2000, the water levels in Lake Powell and Lake Mead have dropped to about 30 percent capacity, and the lakes are now 155 feet below full.

What percentage of Colorado River water is allocated to agriculture?

Seventy percent of Colorado River water goes to agriculture.

What was the impact of the water shortage declaration on Pinal County, Arizona?

Pinal County, Arizona, was hit hard by the water shortage declaration, with a loss of 300,000 acre-feet of surface water, which is 98 billion gallons.

How is the Colorado River Indian Tribes' water usage affected by the drought?

The Colorado River Indian Tribes have agreed to leave fields uncultivated, conserving 48 billion gallons of water in Lake Mead.

What conservation measures are being proposed by Utah to address the water crisis?

Utah is proposing to build a one to two billion dollar pipeline to bring 27 billion gallons of water a year from Lake Powell.

What is the role of the 'Law of the River' in the current water crisis?

The 'Law of the River' is a set of rules and regulations that have been pieced together over a century, which allocates more water than actually flows down the Colorado, contributing to the current crisis.