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Megadrought

All articles tagged with #megadrought

environment1 year ago•3 min saved

"Colorado River's Agricultural Water Usage Exposed in New Study"

The Colorado River, once a mighty force flowing from the Rocky Mountains to the Gulf of California, now barely reaches the sea due to extensive human consumption and the effects of a two-decade megadrought. A new study reveals that 19% of the river's water is used by the natural environment, while the rest is primarily consumed by agriculture, particularly for livestock feed. With water overallocation and climate change exacerbating the situation, negotiations are underway to address the diminishing resource, and efforts such as water conservation projects and agreements to cut back water use are being pursued to mitigate the crisis.

via NPR|

#agriculture #colorado-river #environment

environment-climate-change1 year ago•2 min saved

"Unprecedented Overlap: Climate Change's Impact on Extreme Heat and Droughts in North America"

A new study published in Science Advances reveals that hotter temperatures are exacerbating the megadrought in the Western U.S., leading to the emergence of "hot droughts" – dry conditions intensified by heat. By analyzing tree rings, researchers found that the last 20 years have seen unprecedented frequency of compound warm and dry summers, attributed to human-caused climate change. The study suggests that future droughts will be worsened by higher temperatures, particularly in regions like the Great Plains and the Colorado River Basin, impacting water reserves for millions of people.

via NPR|

#climate-change #environment-climate-change #hot-droughts

us-news2 years ago•2 min saved

Lake Mead's Skeletal Remains Identified as 1970s Drowning Victim.

Skeletal remains found at Lake Mead last fall have been identified as those of Donald P. Smith, who officials said died by accidental drowning nearly 50 years ago. Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, has been hit by a two-decade drought made worse by climate change, leading to several sets of human remains being discovered. Despite recent wet weather, water levels at Lake Mead remain relatively low, and the future of the lake remains uncertain as large parts of Nevada remain under a moderate to severe drought.

via The New York Times|

#dna-analysis #drowning #human-remains