The Colorado River Crisis: A Threat to the West's Water Future The Colorado River, a lifeline for seven US states and two Mexican cities, faces an unprecedented crisis that imperils the region's water future.
Decades of declining flow have been caused by a combination of climate change, drought, and over allocation. As of writing, Lake Mead stands at just 35% capacity, prompting concerns about long term sustainability.
Understanding the Crisis The Colorado River Compact of 1928 established a system where water is divided among seven western US states: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado.