Short Wave Climate Change Is Threatening The U.S. West's Water Supply
Jun 24, 2021
Lauren Sommer, an NPR climate correspondent, dives into the dire water crisis affecting the U.S. West. She reveals that the region is experiencing its driest year on record, pushing farms and cities to impose water restrictions. Sommer discusses the alarming depletion of Lake Mead and the urgent need to reevaluate outdated water management practices. With climate change altering the landscape of water supply, she highlights the complicated relationship between agricultural needs and dwindling resources, urging for sustainable solutions.
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Lake Mead Water Levels
- Lake Mead, the largest U.S. reservoir, is at its lowest point since the 1930s.
- A white bathtub ring on surrounding rocks shows the drastic water level decline.
Colorado River Shortage
- The first official water shortage will soon be declared for the Colorado River.
- This means mandatory cutbacks for states like Arizona, primarily impacting farmers.
Water Allocation Miscalculation
- The Colorado River's water was allocated based on unusually high rainfall in the early 1900s.
- This miscalculation, which some warned about, led to over-allocation and current shortages.