Leaders across seven western states have missed a critical deadline to develop a new agreement on how to best utilize and preserve water from the Colorado River as the region becomes increasingly arid.
Time’s up for the Rocky Mountain states to agree on a new plan about how to best use and conserve water from the Colorado River. And while leaders continue fighting, precious time is being wasted, with water levels rapidly falling due to chronic overuse and a worsening drought.
40 million people rely on the Colorado River for water used for drinking, farming and powering communities. This crucial natural resource starts in the Colorado Rockies, fed by melting snow throughout the year.
As it meanders through the desert southwest, less water becomes available. But that’s where demand for water is highest, as lower basin states have bigger cities and more agricultural needs.
