Cities conserve as Colorado River reservoir faces 'dead pool' crisis - USA Today
Cities in the American Southwest are implementing water conservation measures as Lake Powell reaches record-low levels. The potential for a 'dead pool' scenario threatens water and power supplies, forcing local governments to take independent action.
Why it matters
The Colorado River crisis poses a significant threat to the agricultural and residential water security of the Western United States.
Hear this story Cities across the Southwest are stepping up conservation efforts amid the growing crisis facing a key Colorado River reservoir straddling the Utah-Arizona border.
While water costs could rise for Southwest residents, according to experts, it is unlikely that changes in the Colorado River will disrupt the availability of drinking water. Still, cities in Arizona, California and New Mexico aren't taking any chances. Some are recycling wastewater and limiting when people can water their lawns, while others are desalinating ocean water.
Their efforts come as Lake Powell – a reservoir that produces power for millions of homes across the West ‒ is the emptiest it has ever been this late in the summer. Its water volume has dropped as long-term climate change creates a warmer and drier West.
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