The Colorado River Basin: Resilience in the Face of Climate Change
The persistent water shortage in the Colorado River Basin will not see significant improvement despite recent snowpack increase.
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The Colorado River supplies seven states, tribal nations, and Mexico but has declined due to rising temperatures and aridification.
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Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest reservoirs in the basin, are only 70% and 23% empty respectively.
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Low reservoir levels are predicted to persist for years to come, with some doubting they will ever refill to capacity.
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The federal government is pressuring parties to agree on cuts to prevent dangerously low levels but disagreement exists on how to implement cuts.
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Scientists have warned of an impending crisis for years and studies show water deliveries from the Colorado River are not sustainable.
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Rising temperatures lead to increased moisture evaporation and more water consumption by vegetation.
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The National Climate Assessment predicts an ongoing decline in inflows and increased likelihood of extreme weather events.
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The urgency to find a solution is increasing as scientists warn of the severe impacts of climate change on the Colorado River.
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