Urban Water Conservation Fails to Prevent Catastrophic Colorado River Shortages, Study Finds
Updated
Updated · Livescience.com · Apr 24
Urban Water Conservation Fails to Prevent Catastrophic Colorado River Shortages, Study Finds
9 articles · Updated · Livescience.com · Apr 24
A new study led by Renee Obringer shows that even dramatic urban water cuts in cities like Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas cannot avert severe shortages for 40 million people, with risks starting as soon as this summer.
Despite cities reducing per capita water use by up to 58% since 2002, agriculture—using over 70% of the basin’s water—must also make major cuts. Reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell may drop to just 20% capacity.
The Colorado River Compact is up for renewal amid stalled negotiations, while megadrought and climate change have shrunk river flows by 35% since the 20th century, requiring urgent, basin-wide adaptation and renegotiation of water rights.
Can technology solve the West's water crisis before the taps run dry?
What happens to 40 million people when the nation's largest reservoirs die?
Is a century-old water law pushing the American West toward collapse?
Will America's winter vegetable supply disappear to save the Colorado River?
Will ancient water rights be honored when there's no water left to claim?
Can the AI boom survive a megadrought in the American Southwest?