Colorado River Crisis: Drought and Century-Old Allocations Threaten Water Security
What happened
An extended drought and a century-old legal framework have pushed the Colorado River to a breaking point, threatening the water security of roughly 40 million people across the American West and Mexico. A federal plan threatening deep cuts has sparked a legal and political conflict. Professor Rhett Larson of Arizona State University is analyzing the legal framework and structural overhauls needed to protect the regional economy.
From freerepublic.com
Why it matters
The crisis stems from negotiators basing the river's allocations on unusually wet years, committing more water than the river can reliably supply. The 1922 Colorado River Compact allocated 7.5 million acre-feet annually to the Lower Basin, while a 1944 treaty allocated 1.5 million acre-feet annually to Mexico.
From freerepublic.com
Who's involved
- Colorado RiverMajor river in the western United States and Mexico, currently facing severe drought and allocation pressure.
- Arizona State UniversityInstitution where Professor Rhett Larson provides expertise on Colorado River water law and treaties.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- PhoenixSpeculative
Phoenix might face threats to its urban water supply due to geopolitical dependency on water cuts.
- CaliforniaSpeculative
California could face massive water cuts due to federal allocation changes in the Lower Basin, impacting regional revenue.
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The entities involved
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Colorado River
major river in the western United States and Mexico
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Arizona State University
public university in Tempe, Arizona, US