When most people think of an endangered species, it is usually a type of animal, plant, or insect that comes to mind, but a shocking new report from conservation organization American Rivers has us concerned for a new type of endangerment: the Colorado River. Of the 10 North American rivers listed as endangered, the mighty Colorado River took the number one spot on the list.
Given that the Colorado River has raged through the landscape of North America for more than 6 million years, this information is more than a little unsettling when the reported cause of its progression toward extinction is mismanagement throughout the Upper and Lower Basin states. It supplies water to 36 million people across 7 US states and 2 countries, yet a study completed in December 2012 by the Bureau of Reclamation showed that there is not enough water in the Colorado River to meet current demands, much less any future increases in those demands. Scientists predict that the flow rate of the mighty Colorado could be reduced by as much as 30 percent by 2050, due to increasing climate change and misuse of the resource.
Despite these warnings and timely information, there are yet more dams and diversions being planned, including several projects that will see 300,000 acre feet of new water from the Colorado River and its tributaries removed before even reaching Lakes Powell and Mead, both of which are fed by the river. Because the demand for water will certainly not decrease as the human population continues to expand, action must be taken at the federal level to sustain this precious national treasure. Funding for water efficiency and conservation programs, among others, must be supported by the US Congress in order to keep one of the nation’s most important resources from drying up.
To highlight the plight and necessity of the Colorado River, Pete McBride Productions, with the help of American Rivers, produced this beautiful video to bring this very real issue to the forefront of our consciousness. If you would like to see how you can contribute to protecting this majestic natural wonder, please visit the American Rivers website for more information. This problem affects us all.
Image via Wolfgang Staudt