Colorado mountain snowpack measured above normal in early March, a few weeks before the closely watched seasonal peak, except in the Arkansas River Basin, where lagging snow could lead to low water flows.
The snowpack tracked by federal snow surveyors appeared relatively promising with the latest data showing the overall statewide level at 120% of the norm, which is based on a 30-year average between 1991 and 2020. In particular, watersheds that feed the heavily-tapped Colorado River held above-average snow, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service snow survey data.
Agriculture uses about 85% of Colorado’s water supply. Urban water consumption per person has been decreasing, though the state’s overall population has been increasing at faster than the national rate. Climate warming has been shrinking mountain snowpack and reducing runoff into streams. Atmospheric scientists have projected a sharply reduced contribution of melting snow in the Colorado River Basin, a main source for 40 million people and agriculture producers across seven states including California.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rockies’ snowy winter may not mean enough runoff to replenish the Colorado RiverScientists say that while this winter’s snow may provide a temporary boost to major reservoirs, it will not provide enough water to fix the Southwest’s long-term supply-demand imbalance, as the beleaguered river continues to grapple with climate change and steady demand.
Read more »
Local Opinion: Two plans for Colorado River waterOPINION: 'I have two plans, one outrageous and one real, for dealing with the Colorado River,' writes Michael Carpenter, a retired hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.
Read more »
Arkansas Senate passes 'bathroom bill' and heads to House Judiciary Committee nextArkansas Senate passed the 'bathroom bill' on Tuesday. It criminalizes transgender people using public restrooms in some cases by defining 'sex' as a person's biological sex determined by anatomy and genetics at birth.
Read more »
Arkansas Senate OKs transgender bathroom bill that critics call extremeA bill that would criminalize transgender people using restrooms that match their gender identity wins initial approval in the Arkansas Senate.
Read more »
Is Auburn-Arkansas becoming a basketball rivalry?AUBURN -- Auburn and Arkansas men’s basketball haven’t had many dull matchups since the Razorbacks hired Eric Musselman as their coach in 2019.
Read more »
Arkansas Man Gets Life for Trafficking 6-Year-Old GirlThe crime was discovered when the victim was taken to the hospital with sexually transmitted diseases.
Read more »