Colorado River

Lake Powell Nears ‘Dead Pool’ Amid Water Policy Failures

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Lake Powell is teetering on the brink, nearing a state known as “dead power pool,” a situation many experts have warned about for years. This isn’t a sudden catastrophe; rather, it’s the culmination of decades of underestimating the fragility of our water resources and overestimating our ability to manage them sustainably. The stark reality is that without significant changes, particularly concerning water usage and allocation, reaching this critical low is not a matter of if, but when.

The concept of a “dead power pool” means that the water level in Lake Powell will drop so low that the hydroelectric generators at Glen Canyon Dam can no longer function.… Continue reading

Colorado River might recover from two-decade drought thanks to precipitation

Rain, the much-awaited savior of the Colorado River. It’s both amusing and slightly alarming to realize that something as basic as precipitation might be the key to pulling the river out of the grips of a two-decade-long drought. The recent study from researchers at CU Boulder sheds light on the importance of rain over temperature in replenishing the Colorado River basin.

The historical context of the Colorado River is fascinating to ponder. With data only going back about 150 years, it’s clear that the last century and a half might have been somewhat of an anomaly in terms of water availability.… Continue reading