Standing along the Colorado River high in the Rocky Mountains, it’s hard not to feel the weight of what this river means to the American West.
The Colorado River provides drinking water for about 40 million people, helps irrigate roughly 5 million acres of farmland, powers economies such as recreation and tourism, shapes landscapes like the Grand Canyon, and supports communities across seven states and Mexico.
But this legendary river is under growing pressure. Scientists estimate the Colorado River’s flow has declined by around 20% since the 20th century, driven largely by climate change and the long-term aridification of the West. At the same time, the Basin States are locked in difficult negotiations over how to share less and less water.
One of the most striking realities: in many years, the river no longer consistently reaches its natural endpoint in Mexico because so much water is diverted along the way.
Standing here at the river’s edge, you can feel both the beauty and the tension surrounding one of the most important water sources in North America.
And yes… part of me still wants to jump in and see how far downstream this current could take me (if dams weren't in the way!)
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