Colorado River Drought

Mayor Robert Morris of Cave Creek, Arizona, is worried about more water shortages from the severely depleted Colorado River. The federal government recently finalized a new river plan to help keep it from plunging further, causing concerns and uncertainty among those who rely on its water. Nevada raised the stakes by suing the federal government over the new rules. Even farmers not facing cuts are struggling to plan what to plant and how much due to the uncertainty. Climate change is reducing snowpack and water supplies, and 10 reservoirs across the West are at their lowest in at least 30 years.