They are reducing allocations to Arizona and Nevada.
For the first time since its construction nearly a century ago, Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir by volume, on the Colorado River has formally been declared to have a water shortage. The declaration, issued by the Bureau of Reclamation due to continuing drought conditions in the western U.S., sets in motion a series of water allocation cuts to downstream states along the Colorado River.
The first round of cuts will have its greatest impact on Arizona farmers, as the state will lose 18 percent of its share from the river. Arizona farmers are likely to be faced with tough choices of letting fields go fallow or tapping into dwindling groundwater supplies or finding other alternate water sources.
Nevada will lose about 7 percent of its allocation, and downriver, Mexico will see a reduction of roughly 5 percent.
Lake Powell’s levels are also on the decline posing a threat to the electricity generated by the Glen Canyon Dam.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For officials in the Bureau of Reclamation as they manage water to the drought-ridden states.
- For farmers in areas where the water allocations will be reduced.
- For rain for the Western states suffering from drought and wildfires.
Sources: Axios, Wall Street Journal, Arizona Republic
