Scientists, agriculturalists sound alarm for federal action on Western drought
The federal government needs to take quick and decisive actions and work through regional, state and local partnerships to address the worsening drought and water conditions in Colorado and the West, a panel of water scientists and agriculturalists told a Senate subcommittee chaired by Colorado’s Michael Bennet Tuesday. … The megadrought in the West is the worst it has been in 1,200 years, scientists have determined. [Andy Mueller, the general manager of the Colorado River Water Conservation District] said there is only about 34% of storage capacity left in the reservoirs along the river, and that hotter temperatures in the area have exacerbated the drought and water shortages.