Western States Are Fighting Over How to Conserve Shrinking Water Supply

  • 21.08.2022
  • Smithsonian

Residents of the Colorado River basin are in the throes of a historic, 23-year drought exacerbated by climate change. With warmer and drier conditions, the river, which supplies water to seven Western states and Mexico, is drying up.

This week, the federal government announced unprecedented cuts to two states and Mexico, but officials say more must be done to manage the dwindling water supply. In the meantime, negotiations among the states for self-imposed cuts have stalled.