The Colorado River Basin provides freshwater to more than 40 million people within the semi-arid southwestern United States, including major cities such as Las Vegas and Los Angeles. However, between 2000 and 2021 the basin experienced a megadrought (a severe drought lasting multiple decades), which researchers have suggested likely would not have occurred if it were not for anthropogenic climate change. In particular, during 2020 and 2021, the river basin recorded the driest 20-month period since 1895 and the lowest river flow since 1906.
The Colorado River needs a big moisture boost. Runoff forecasts suggest it won't come from spring snowmelt
drought
The Colorado River Basin is currently experiencing a megadrought, which is a prolonged and severe drought that lasts for decades or even centuries. This megadrought has been caused by a massive 86%
Denver Water – Coyote Gulch
Weather Articles in the News
Seven weeks of near-record low snowfall in the Colorado River Basin have water managers worried
U.S. Colorado River basin rejoices from record snowpack while flooding expected-Xinhua
Declining snowpack due to climate change has cut the Colorado River's annual flow by 10 percent, study finds - The Washington Post
Snowpack on track for normal year with a month to go, good news for Colorado River
Colorado River Basin megadrought caused by massive 86% decline in snowpack runoff
