Reduced water allocation by the American government

The southwest region of the United States receives water from the Colorado River. The current water levels are the lowest ever. Alarmingly, the US government has mandated severe water restrictions in numerous states.

According to Pat Mulroy, who appears on CNN television, "I think the states will soon realize they're playing Russian roulette." She oversaw the Southern Water Authority in the US state of Nevada for a long time.

There are allegations of excessive water consumption in states like Arizona and Nevada. Although Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest reservoirs, were still full in 2000, their levels are now at an all-time low. Only 25% of the reservoirs' initial water supply is still there. The Colorado River, which supplies them, is far too low because to a shortage of snowpack brought on by climate change.


Mulroy cautions that the likelihood of these lakes dropping to 300 meters—just 30 meters over the "dead pool"—if we experience another bad winter is high. The martini glass's bottom is reached at that point.

When the reservoir is so low that no more water can flow downstream, it is referred to as a "dead pool" in the USA. The river system would completely collapse as a result, endangering the water supply for some 40 million Americans.

Farmers are already experiencing the effects.

The U.S. government has now commanded the states bordering the Colorado River to cut back on their water use in an effort to avert this calamity. According to climate scientist Peter Gleick of the Pacific Institute in Berkley, California, next year will see a reduction in river water of 21% for Arizona and an increase in water use of 8% for Nevada: "In Nevada, it is more probable that metropolitan areas, like Las Vegas, would conserve more water. There will be significant losses to agriculture in Arizona."

In reality, the mega-drought, which has now lasted for around 20 years, is having the greatest impact on farmers in Arizona. Cotton, pumpkins, and alfalfa have been grown by farmers like Waylon Wurtz in Pinal County, south of Phoenix, for four generations. Every crop requires extensive irrigation.


Wurtz scolds CBS, "We're going to lose 370 million cubic yards of water from Lake Mead and Lake Powell, which translates to the Colorado River, in our county alone. Due to his inability to water the fields, the farmer already has to leave several acres fallow. The Colorado River basin's water penetrates into agriculture to the tune of 80%.

From a farm to a solar one

Scientist Peter Gleick advises farmers in the hot, dry state of Arizona to adjust to the climate. "Some farmers will suffer because of it. However, we must lessen the basin's reliance on agriculture." Additionally, he exhorts California to start practicing water conservation. Despite using the majority of its water from the Colorado River, the most populated state hasn't even been impacted by cuts yet.


Farmer Wurtz of Arizona has already come close to accepting his fate. He has already sold property to solar park companies. Because Arizona really does have plenty of sunshine.

He declares, "I'll do anything I can to keep our farm running." However, I believe that eventually nothing will be left of this.