Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    TopBuzzMagazine.com
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Home
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Music
    • Fashion
    • Books
    • Science
    • Technology
    • Cover Story
    • Contact
      • About
      • Amazon Disclaimer
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Privacy Policy
      • DMCA / Copyrights Disclaimer
    TopBuzzMagazine.com
    Home»Science»What will it take to stabilize the Colorado River?
    Science

    What will it take to stabilize the Colorado River?

    By AdminAugust 19, 2022
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    An ongoing megadrought, impacts from climate change and systematic overuse have created a deep management crisis on the Colorado River. Researchers from the Center for Colorado River Studies now have results from research that offers a new perspective on what is needed to stabilize or reverse the decline of reservoir storage. Credit: Stephen Dundorf.

    Lakes Powell and Mead, the two major reservoirs fed by the Colorado River, reached record lows this year nearing 25% capacity. An ongoing megadrought, impacts from climate change and systematic overuse have created a deep management crisis. Although there is growing public acknowledgement that cuts in consumptive use are inevitable and that policy changes are needed, renegotiation of the rules governing this critical shared river are fraught with complexity and impeded by competing priorities between states.

    In a new policy forum commentary in the journal Science, researchers from the Center for Colorado River Studies at Utah State University, Colorado State University, and the University of Oxford describe the political history leading up to the current management crisis and offer results from innovative research with a new perspective on what is needed to stabilize or reverse the decline of reservoir storage.

    Using the Colorado River Simulation System, the researchers developed a method to quantify the magnitude of consumptive use cuts necessary to balance the system if the current drought continues and to estimate future reservoir storage under various management options. The research identifies combinations of Upper Basin consumptive use limitations and Lower Basin reductions to maintain reservoir storage levels sufficient to maintain secure water supplies if drought persists.

    A continuation of the current 23-year-long drought will require difficult management decisions. Implementing, or even accelerating, the policy changes necessary to stabilize the Colorado River system requires well-grounded insight to project the impacts of those policies on the system as a whole, say the authors. The system can be stabilized under specific runoff conditions, but a critical change needed is triggering reductions in use based on the combined storage of Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

    “Although the focus of our study is a scenario of continued drought, the insights and approaches found in this piece can be adapted to plan for other future scenarios,” said Kevin Wheeler, lead author on the commentary.

    The research shows that current policies can’t stabilize the Colorado River if the drought continues; however, there are various consumptive use strategies that could—if these strategies are applied swiftly. Although the proposed reductions in consumptive use being considered by Upper and Lower Basin states may seem like a political impossibility at present, they will become inevitable if hydrologic conditions persist, said Wheeler.

    As drought crisis deepens, government will release less water from Colorado River reservoir More information: Kevin G. Wheeler, What will it take to stabilize the Colorado River?, Science (2022). DOI: 10.1126/science.abo4452. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abo4452 Provided by Utah State University

    Citation: What will it take to stabilize the Colorado River? (2022, July 21) retrieved 19 August 2022 from https://phys.org/news/2022-07-stabilize-colorado-river.html

    This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

    Read The Full Article Here

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Viewing teens more positively may help their school performance and strengthen family bonds

    October 2, 2025

    Bering Land Bridge emerged much later than we thought it did, new study finds

    October 1, 2025

    We finally know why a belly button becomes an ‘innie’

    October 1, 2025

    Plant receptors for nitrogen-fixing bacteria evolved independently at least three times, study reveals

    September 30, 2025

    Ancient Egyptian statue of ‘Messi’ found at Saqqara necropolis is ‘only known example of its kind from the Old Kingdom’

    September 30, 2025

    Our brain ‘swivels’ to focus on sounds from different directions

    September 29, 2025
    popular posts

    2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show: What to Know

    Who What Wear Podcast: Pamela Love

    Watch Grey’s Anatomy Online: Season 18 Episode 17

    6 Thrilling Reads for Fall

    TikTok Is Letting People Shut Off Its Infamous Algorithm—and Think

    Medical ‘microrobots’ could one day treat bladder disease, other human

    ‘America’s Got Talent: Extreme’ Contestant Sues NBC After Stunt Left

    Categories
    • Books (3,445)
    • Cover Story (8)
    • Events (19)
    • Fashion (2,545)
    • Interviews (45)
    • Movies (2,745)
    • Music (3,029)
    • News (161)
    • Politics (6)
    • Science (4,595)
    • Technology (2,740)
    • Television (3,470)
    • Uncategorized (932)
    Archives
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube Reddit TikTok
    © 2025 Top Buzz Magazine. All rights reserved. All articles, images, product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT