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Will American farmers have enough water in the future?
The US states of Arizona and Nevada, and Mexico will be able to use less water from the Colorado for the first time in the coming year. The water level in the river's reservoirs has been falling for years. Lake Mead is even in danger of falling below a critical level.
Due to extreme drought, Colorado River reservoirs have declined dramatically since 2000 reports USA Today. The agricultural companies and cities in the southwest of the country have been using more water from the river for some time than flowing into it. Last year this already led to significant shortages in the reservoirs, but this winter was compensated by snowfall in the Rocky Mountains. However, Lake Mead is expected to enter a zone called "Tier Zero" next year. As agreed, the first measures will then take effect.
Drought disaster plan
In May, representatives from the states of Arizona and Nevada signed a landmark agreement with the state of California. This is a so-called drought disaster plan. It states that Arizona and Nevada leave some of their water allocations in the reservoir and that California contributes if the water level continues to fall. Mexico agreed in a separate accord to contribute to Lake Mead, which is now 39% full.
The Colorado River and its tributaries provide water for approximately 40 million Americans and over 5 million acres of farmland from Wyoming to Southern California. The reductions in water supplies should prevent a disaster. Arizona, the state that gets nearly 40% of its water from this river, is the biggest contributor. The state will receive 1% less water from January 2020, 6,9.
Less water for agriculture
The water cuts represent 12% of the water supply for the Central Arizona Project (CAP), which provides canal water to Phoenix, Tucson and other areas. According to Chuck Cullom, Colorado River Programs Manager for CAP, the drought measures mean, among other things, that water will not be available for underground storage and that CAP deliveries to agriculture will be reduced by 15%.
A contingency plan has also been drawn up for the so-called Upper Basin (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico). Taken together, this should ensure that the water levels of Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the largest reservoirs in the country, are supported between 2020 and 2026. Negotiations will begin next year for a new set of deficit management guidelines after 2026.
River flow continues to fall
For decades, the Colorado has been used so intensively that the water rarely reaches the sea. Global warming has also increasingly affected this river. Rising temperatures are responsible for half of the falling water level, a scientific study has shown. The flow of the river has fallen about 2000% between 2019 and 17 from the XNUMXth century average. The models point to a worsening of conditions.
With a view to a dry future, Arizona's contingency plan also includes measures for farmers to 'ease the pain'. For example, money will be made available for initiatives that promote the use of groundwater. This applies, for example, to Pinal County, where farmers are hit the hardest. $9 million is expected to be made available there.
Jeanette Pennings
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