The winter’s snow drought has led to a full-blown water crisis in the US, with the Colorado River Basin forecast to produce less than 30% of its average runoff. This has severe implications for the 40 million people who rely on the river for water, including those in Colorado, California, and Arizona.

Drying Out

The snow water equivalent, a measure of melted snow, set record lows in April across several Western states, including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. This has already impacted water runoff into key tributaries and rivers, with the Colorado River Basin being the most affected.

The federal government has announced plans to hand out money through the Inflation Reduction Act to support farmers and ranchers who agree to follow climate-friendly practices, including water conservation. Additionally, the Interior Department is extending contracts that paid out nearly $1.4 billion to farmers and ranchers who agree to follow these practices.

Where’s the Water?

The Colorado River is the main source of water for 40 million people across seven states, including Colorado, California, and Arizona, as well as 30 Native American Nations and Mexico. However, the river has lost about 27.8 million acre-feet of groundwater in the last 20 years, largely due to over-pumping. This year’s snow drought has exacerbated the situation, with experts warning that the river’s water levels are at a critical low.

A group of Colorado River experts has released projections that if next winter doesn’t replenish the water basin, and use continues at the current pace, the Basin’s water storage system could crash, leading to devastating consequences. The Trump administration has proposed a water-conservation plan that could cut up to 40% of the current water supplies to Arizona, California, and Nevada.

A Worrisome Combination

The scarcity of water and growing dryness across the country are setting the stage for a potentially brutal fire season. Experts warn that the conditions are ripe for severe wildfires, with over 2.5 million acres already burned nationwide, nearly double the annual average between 2016 and 2025.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.