environment
The mayor of this desert city likens the U.S. West's water crisis to planning for a meteor. 'You can see it coming, but you can't get out of the way'
On the outskirts of Phoenix, a small town with a huge reliance on the Colorado River has capped growth, revived old wells and struck water deals.
TL;DR
- Cave Creek, Arizona, a town reliant on the Colorado River, has capped growth and struck water deals due to dwindling river supply.
- The Colorado River serves 40 million people but is shrinking due to climate change, demand, and overuse.
- Federal plans to address the crisis include significant water use reductions for California, Nevada, and Arizona.
- Nevada is suing the Interior Department, citing unmet basic needs due to planned reductions.
- Record low levels have been recorded in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, key reservoirs for the Colorado River system.
- Farmers are hesitant to invest in long-term crops due to water uncertainty, impacting food production.
- Tribal nations with old water rights also face challenges in accessing sufficient water due to infrastructure issues and reservoir levels.