Shortages looming for Colorado River basin
Newly released numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation project a high chance of shortages on the Colorado River within the next two years. The numbers show Lake Mead is likely to drop below 1075 feet in elevation later this year. That triggers a “Tier 1” shortage under the rules of the Drought Contingency Plan. Arizona takes the brunt of the shortage, losing more than five hundred thousand acre-feet of water, or about a third of the Central Arizona Project’s supply. The canal brings water to Tucson and Phoenix, but the cuts will largely affect farmers.
Related articles:
- Metropolitan Water District: Metropolitan Statement On Colorado River Reservoir Conditions
- Arizona Department of Water Resources: Joint statement from ADWR & CAP on results of the April 24 Month Study
- Moab Sun News: Science Moab talks to Brian Richter about the impact of the Colorado River Compact