California, Arizona and Nevada, three of seven states that depend on the shrinking Colorado River for water and hydropower, plan to temporarily reduce the amount of river water they use by 13% over the next three years, federal officials have announced.
Will it be enough to alleviate the river’s decline? It will help, but more measures will be needed, officials say.
River levels have fallen over the past 20 years with an extended drought and persistent overuse of river water. Climate change has hastened the reduction. And while this year’s heavy snowpack is improving the river’s flow, it won’t be enough to overcome the effects of the drought.
The three states have proposed to collectively cut their water use by at least 3 million acre-feet from now until the end of 2026. Details have not been disclosed.
The agreement, announced May 22, is now awaiting federal approval. It will help prevent water levels from falling further in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two reservoirs used by the states. Reservoir capacity has approached record lows in recent years.
One acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons, enough to cover 1 acre of […]
Full article: www.usatoday.com
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