Colorado River Basins Near Critical Tipping Point, Study Warns

Research indicates that key watersheds face unsustainable water delivery levels due to drought and climate change impacts.

Six watersheds in Colorado's West Slope, crucial for a $5 billion agricultural economy, are approaching a tipping point in water sustainability.
The study used advanced modeling to simulate hundreds of thousands of streamflow scenarios under both historical and climate-change conditions.
Traditional drought vulnerability analyses may underestimate the severity and impact of potential droughts on water storage and agricultural output.
Lake Powell, a vital reservoir, experienced unprecedented lows in 2021, highlighting the region's vulnerability to drought.
The findings come as policymakers prepare to renegotiate water-sharing agreements for the Colorado River Basin, emphasizing the need for integrated management strategies.