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Across the West, a multi-decade megadrought is leading to record-breaking fires, smoke-laden skies, and water shortages. The drought has hit the Colorado River basin, which 40 million people rely on for water, particularly hard. After a rafting trip through Grand Canyon National Park, Inside Climate News reporter Judy Fahys offers an in-depth report on how decades of efforts to improve ecosystem health in one of our nation's crown jewels are intersecting with the reality of lower water flows.
After the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, the Grand Canyon was whipsawed by extreme high and low flow levels—driven by the need to generate power for regional communities—which eroded beaches, reduced habitat for native fish, and made recreation opportunities less predictable. Decades of efforts by scientists and water managers have since improved the Grand Canyon's ecological health, leading to a resurgence in native flora and fauna.
This year, however, longtime observers of the Grand Canyon have noticed significant changes. Extreme low runoff has left the normally muddy Colorado River clear, bighorn sheep have migrated towards the river in search of water, and cliffside springs have run dry. "You know you’re dealing with a drought when you’re seeing desert plants falling over from lack of water," said researcher Helen Fairley. Federal water managers are releasing upstream water into Lake Powell, above the Grand Canyon, to avert the possibility that the Glen Canyon Dam will no longer have enough water to generate electricity.
Going forward, states and communities throughout the Colorado River Basin will face the tough task of grappling with the prolonged drought and accelerating climate change. Many Western states will almost certainly face water supply cuts in 2022, as shortage provisions in the century-old Colorado River Compact go into effect. "We have to figure out how to keep people with enough water to drink and to sustain human life and society,” said Fairley. ”At some level, it does become kind of a preeminent concern over every other issue."
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I urge Congress to quickly tackle the situation with orphaned oil and gas wells and work to reform our leasing system. Dinosaur National Monument, other park areas, public lands and communities need the direction, resources, and the momentum to address these hidden dangers.”
