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Climate Changes, the Colorado River & LA's Water Supply

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Colorado River's Horseshoe Bend | Photo by Matt York/AP

Los Angeles is in a drought. Without more rainfall, this city will be starting rationing very soon. New data was released today about our water shortage:

Seven Western states will face more water shortages in the years ahead as climate change exacerbates the strains drought and a growing population have put on the Colorado River, scientists say. Without fundamental shifts in water management, the result will be shortages and difficult decisions about who in the seven states the river serves will get water and who will go without, said Dave Wegner, science director for the Glen Canyon Institute.

Several models have shown that there will be strain on the river due to over-population and the affects of climate change, therefore warming temperatures, can only make that worse. Because current usage is just simply not sustainable, the most effective strategy is to reduce our use. And Arizona and Nevada
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could be the first to be let go.

To do your part, it is worth visiting LADWP's website for rules about water use during times of drought. And, also visit their drought busters site and tattle on a neighbor, if you feel so inclined.

This post was by Shelley Boyle from The Golden Spiral. Thanks, Shelley!

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