California's reservoirs are benefitting from an ample snowpack, filling to near capacity. However, the Colorado River faces a starkly different situation; a dry spring has led to significantly reduced runoff, impacting water levels in critical reservoirs like Lake Powell and Lake Mead. With projected flows into Lake Powell at only 46% of average, long-term water challenges are exacerbated. Ongoing negotiations among states to manage water shortages beyond 2026 are marred by disagreements, revealing deep divisions between lower and upper basin states.
"We are noticing that runoff is low. There is no doubt about it," said Luke Gingerich, a farmer who grows peaches near the river in Palisade, Colo.
"This is another year that is not going to help the Colorado basin's long-term water crisis. It's going to make things worse," said Daniel Swain, a UCLA climate scientist.
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