Opinion: Colorado River crisis requires massive cuts now for future droughts
The mighty Colorado River is endangered. Persistent massive drought, exacerbated by climate change, overuse, and ever-rising demand, has taken a heavy toll. Water levels have dwindled and remain at a historic low in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the largest human-made reservoirs in the United States – so low in Lake Mead a year ago that it came close to hitting dead pool status, which occurs when water levels are too low to generate electricity. This wet winter’s record-breaking snowpacks will not resolve the crisis: with just a few consecutive dry winters in the future, dead pool status will likely be a reality. The Colorado River supplies water and electricity to 40 million people. It irrigates farmland and meets the various needs of industry and municipalities.
-Written by Ved Nanda, Denver Post columnist.Related articles: