For 14 years now, drought has been a focal point of concern on the West Coast of America and water supplies have been heavily affected, particularly the reservoirs associated with the Colorado River – now listed as the most endangered river in the US.
“The Colorado River, which flows from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado through the southwestern United States, is the primary source of drinking water for 36 million people across Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, California, Wyoming and New Mexico”
With talks of a water crisis looming, and businessmen and farmers bracing themselves for the worst, it's becoming very clear just how important the Colorado River is to the West. Here are some key things you should know about the current water situation and the various campaigns already in motion to help the Colorado River survive.
Perspective
It can be difficult to appreciate just how much of an impact one river can have on surrounding communities and ecosystems ... so here's some perspective. The Colorado River, which flows from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado through the southwestern United States, is the primary source of drinking water for 36 million people across Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, California, Wyoming and New Mexico. That's seven states that are also home to Native American tribes, national parks (including the Grand Canyon National Park), wildlife refuges and millions of acres of farmland. Lake Powell and Lake Mead – the river's two main reservoirs – currently stand at only 45 percent and 47 percent capacity. To visualise that alarming decline, take a look at the drop in the water level at Lake Powell since 1999 in these images taken by the NASA Earth Observatory.
2014 Cuts
A report released by the U.S Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation recently announced plans to cut the release of water between the two main reservoirs on the river – thanks to its record-breaking water losses, Lake Powell will release only 7.48 million acre-feet of water downstream in the coming year, 750,000 acre-feet less than in any other year. The decision spells trouble for Lake Mead (the main water source for Las Vegas), which is likely to drop another 8 feet, on top of the 100 feet it's already lost since 2000. This would bring the lake just a stone’s throw from the critical threshold of 1,075 feet that would see a formal water shortage declared. Farms and businesses downstream that rely on the water flowing will certainly be negatively affected, as will fish and other wildlife. A report released last year listed several species that are already at serious risk thanks to the river's decline, including the pike minnow, the humpback chub and the razorback sucker.
Is Las Vegas going to dry up?
Las Vegas is facing some tough years ahead if the water situation doesn’t take a positive turn. The city grows by 6,000 inhabitants each month and is desperately searching for solutions other than water conservation to help its cause. Some policies to reduce the usage of water have already been put into place (such as the banning of grass front lawns in new housing developments), but this is not enough. Let's put it this way: if the drought continues, Las Vegas will have a stressed water supply by 2015.
Drought is not the only culprit
Drought is obviously a key factor in the problems facing the water supply in the West – and climate change is likely to make the arid conditions even worse in the coming years. But the river has also been crippled by excessive demand, outdated water management policies and wasteful practices. Over 70 percent of the Colorado River capacity goes to farmland. It is clear that newer water restrictions and conservation measures need to be put in place as soon as possible. Population growth (and the associated pressure on water resources) is also a worrying issue, with Las Vegas alone growing by 72,000 residents a year.
Campaigns
There are three major campaigns in place currently to help the Colorado River’s survival.
- Stop the Flaming Gorge Pipeline: A coalition of conservation groups is fighting to stop a drastic project that could place even more stress on the Colorado River system. The proposed $9 billion 'Flaming Gorge Pipeline' would transport water from the Colorado River to Colorado for future population growth. Not only would it negatively impact wildlife and fish, but it would also hinder both recreational and tourist economies downstream.
- Support for the Conservation and River Health in the Colorado River “Basin Study”: These studies include information and scientific analysis of climate change, protection of wildlife, economic impacts and necessary, new water conservation measures. These studies aim to secure water supplies to cities and states in the future.
- Restoration of the Colorado River Delta: Once a vibrant and biodiverse aquatic ecosystem teeming with wildlife, the Colorado River Delta was destroyed by dam-building and canal construction. Conservation organisation 'Save the Colorado' is teaming up with other environmental groups in an effort to restore streamflows to the delta and bring back some of its lost natural habitats.
