The warming of our planet is having a devastating effect on the Colorado River, causing low snow and high temperatures that are leading to evaporation and water scarcity. The seven states that depend on the river are utilizing every available drop, and while a recent deal and wet winter have provided temporary relief, the long-term outlook for the river remains bleak. Our reliance on money, engineering, and pioneer spirit to sustain civilization in the arid west is proving to be a mirage.
The Colorado River, which runs almost unnoticed beneath the rim of the Grand Canyon, is critical to the canyon’s ecosystem and future. Its regulation by the Glen Canyon Dam has resulted in severe environmental consequences, which have only worsened as the water supply dwindles due to drought and overuse. Recently, the water in Lake Powell, the river’s second-largest reservoir, was so low that power generation was almost impossible. If the reservoir level drops too low, water will only be released through four pipes at the bottom.
In light of this troubling development, scientists and graduate students from the University of California, Davis, took a slow journey down the Colorado River on inflatable rafts to observe the sweeping shifts in the canyon’s ecosystem and landscape, caused by our disregard for the environment. The regulation of the river’s flow by the Glen Canyon Dam has substantially changed the canyon’s environment, damaging its sandy beaches and causing overgrowth of vegetation. Furthermore, the lack of sediment-laden water from the river is impacting the ecosystem and cultural sites in the canyon.
The future of the Colorado River remains uncertain, and as our reliance on it continues, we must take urgent action to protect and care for this critical natural resource.
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