The West's water supply has shrunk dramatically because of drought and climate change. Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming are all upstream of two reservoirs like Powell and Lake Mead. As snow melt in the Rocky Mountains has gone down, the amount of water reaching these states has dropped precipitously. The argument is don't look to us. We're already at half of our paper rates for water. So how can you ask us to go much lower? we can't be disillusioned.
In the United States, 40 million people in seven states depend on water provided by the Colorado River.
After 20 years of drought, the situation is dire and the river is at risk of becoming a “deadpool,” a condition in which there is not enough water to pass through the dams.
The states were supposed to come up with a deal to cut their usage by Tuesday. Now, the federal government may have to step in and make a difficult decision.
Guest: Christopher Flavelle, a climate reporter for The New York Times.
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