Arizona, Nevada and Mexico will lose same amount of Colorado River water next year

Category: Science/Environment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. reliant / rɪˈlaɪ ənt / (adj.) – dependent on someone/something for support, help, or being able to function
    Example:

    The community is reliant on donations to keep the shelter open.


  2. irrigate / ˈɪr ɪˌgeɪt / (v.) – to supply water to lands using artificial means so plants will grow better
    Example:

    The dam irrigates the farmlands in the whole area.


  3. overuse / ˈoʊ vərˈyus / (n.) – the act of using something too much or too often
    Example:

    According to some studies, the overuse of chemicals to help with plant growth is bad for the soil.


  4. allocation / ˌæl əˈkeɪ ʃən / (n.) – a part of something given to someone to be used for a specific purpose
    Example:

    The department’s budget allocation will increase next month if the sales for this month increase.


  5. cutback / ˈkʌtˌbæk / (n.) – a reduction in the amount or number of something, usually to save money
    Example:

    The government’s budget cutbacks have affected many public services and programs.


Article

Read the text below.

Arizona, Nevada and Mexico will continue to live with less water next year from the Colorado River after the U.S. government announced water cuts that preserve the status quo. Long-term challenges remain for the 40 million people reliant on the imperiled river.


The 1,450-mile (2,334-kilometer) river is a lifeline for the U.S. West and supplies water to cities and farms in northern Mexico, too. It supports seven Western states, and more than two dozen Native American tribes and irrigates millions of acres of farmland in the American West. It also produces hydropower used across the region.


Years of overuse combined with rising temperatures and drought have meant less water flows in the Colorado River today than in decades past.


The Interior Department announces water availability for the coming year months in advance so that cities, farmers and others can plan. Officials do so based on water levels at Lake Mead, one of the river’s two main reservoirs that act as barometers of its health.


Based on those levels, Arizona will again lose 18% of its total Colorado River allocation, while Mexico’s goes down 5%. The reduction for Nevada—which receives far less water than Arizona, California or Mexico—will stay at 7%.


The cuts announced are in the same “Tier 1” category that were in effect this year and in 2022, when the first federal cutbacks on the Colorado River took effect and magnified the crisis on the river. Even deeper cuts followed in 2023. Farmers in Arizona were hit hardest by those cuts.


Heavier rains and other water-saving efforts by Arizona, California and Nevada somewhat improved the short-term outlook for Lake Mead and Lake Powell, which is upstream of Mead on the Utah-Arizona border.


Officials said the two reservoirs were at 37% capacity.


They lauded the ongoing efforts by Arizona, California and Nevada to save more water, which are in effect until 2026. The federal government is paying water users in those states for much of that conservation. Meanwhile, states, tribes and others are negotiating how they will share water from the river after 2026, when many current guidelines governing the river expire.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico will continue to receive less water from the Colorado River. How would you feel if your city had less water available each year? What changes do you think people should make when water is limited? Discuss.
  • What are some proactive measures cities and states can take now to prepare for potential future water shortages? How important is it to start these preparations immediately? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Years of overuse and rising temperatures have led to less water in the Colorado River. Do you think there is a way to stop the overuse of water and other resources? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What resources do you think you overuse? What can you do to stop overusing this resource? In your country, what do you think is the most used resource? What is your government doing to ensure that there will be enough resources for everyone in the future? Discuss.