Study Finds Synchronized Drought Risk Across Colorado River Basins and California

Researchers analyzed over 20 years of climate and satellite information across the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins, the Great Basin, California, and the Pacific Northwest. The study found that runoff conditions in the Colorado River basins and the Great Basin were synchronized 65% of the time, and soil moisture moved together 67% of the time. The research also noted that major synchronized hydrologic extremes occur roughly every three to four years.

The strong synchronization between the Colorado River basins and the Great Basin creates a significant challenge for water managers. Because these areas supply water to more than 60 million people and vast farmland, synchronized droughts could limit available relief water during shortages.