The Biden administration floated two ideas this week to reduce water usage from the dwindling Colorado River, which supplies 40 million people.
The 1,450-mile river is a lifeline for seven U.S. states, dozens of Native American tribes, and two states in Mexico. It irrigates nearly 5.5 million acres of farmland in the U.S. and Mexico and generates hydroelectric power used across the West.
States regrouped and came up with competing ideas in January for reducing use. California proposed a plan separate from the other six states - Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.HOW WOULD EACH PLAN AFFECT CALIFORNIA? Its farming regions would be hard-hit, likely meaning growers would leave some fields unplanted. Cities like Los Angeles and San Diego have other sources of water, but a loss of river water could spur conservation rules that limit activities like watering grass.Arizona is in a tough spot regardless of what proposal moves forward because much of its water has a junior status in the priority system.
Under both options, some Arizona water users could have their allocations cut to zero if Lake Mead falls low enough to risk hydropower production. "The question will become 'how bad that pain is and who it falls on,'" said Jay Weiner, an attorney for the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe.
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EXPLAINER: What might Colorado River cuts mean for states?The Biden administration floated two ideas this week for how Western states and Native American tribes could reduce their water use from the dwindling Colorado River
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What might cuts to dwindling Colorado River mean for states?The Biden administration floated two ideas this week for how Western states and Native American tribes could reduce their water use from the dwindling Colorado River. In recent years, an imbalance between the river’s flows and how much water users are promised has forced federal officials to consider steps never taken before. A multi-decade drought worsened by climate change is adding to the urgency. The Interior Department's analysis considers two different ways to force cuts to Arizona, Nevada and California. The two options mean varying impacts for cities, farms and people living in the Southwest.
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What might cuts to dwindling Colorado River mean for states?The Biden administration floated two ideas this week for how Western states and Native American tribes could reduce their water use from the dwindling Colorado River
Weiterlesen »
What might Colorado River cuts mean for states and their water supplies?The Biden administration floated two ideas to reduce water usage from the dwindling Colorado River, which supplies 40 million people: use the existing water priority system or the same percentage across the board. Federal officials haven’t taken a stance.
Weiterlesen »
What might cuts to dwindling Colorado River mean for states?In recent years, an imbalance between the river’s flows and how much water users are promised has forced federal officials to consider steps never taken before.
Weiterlesen »
What might cuts to dwindling Colorado River mean for states?The Biden administration floated two ideas this week to reduce water usage from the dwindling Colorado River, which supplies 40 million people.
Weiterlesen »