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Western US Drought

For years, a major drought has been occurring in the western United States. This drought has been a pervading issue. Some scientists have even gone so far as to name the drought a “megadrought,” or a drought that lasts for decades, believing the drought to simply be an extension of one that began in 2000. The states of Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico are currently being affected by the drought, comprising nearly 89% of the nine western states. To make matters worse, the dry conditions directly affecting these states also have nationwide ramifications, since the entire country is connected through agriculture and industry.

As a result of the drought, the amount of water in lakes and reservoirs is diminishing. Lakes Mead and Powell, in the states of Nevada, Arizona, and Utah, are only 35% full. In California, Folsom Lake is only half full. This inhibits the states’ ability to use hydropower, which is economically debilitating for the consumers of the electricity. Canals have also been damaged from overuse during the drought, costing billions of dollars to fix. Additionally, farms have been threatened by the decreasing water supply, leading to farmers abandoning or switching their crops. Farmers experienced further concern as the government imposed water restrictions. California has already begun to cut off the water supply for some of its farmers, intent on preserving water for emergencies. Nevada has also restricted water use, banning some citizens from watering their lawns. Both California and Arizona have declared an emergency as fires continue to burn.

The drought has significantly increased the chance of wildfires. A lack of water results in dried vegetation and dead trees, both of which fuel fire. These fires are dangerous and cause evacuations. The ash and debris caused by the fires can travel into lakes and reservoirs, tainting an already diminished water supply. The smoke from fires is also a health risk to citizens. To counteract these fires, much of the West established fire restrictions. These restrictions limit fireworks and also place safer guidelines upon the use of campfires, grills, and stoves in national parks. Although there is always a risk of fires, the risk has been increased due to the lasting drought.

Climate change has been making the drought worse. Numerous studies have shown that while climate change may not be the cause of the drought, it is certainly making it more severe. Climate change increases temperatures and makes conditions drier, leading to more frequent and intense droughts. The warming climate has made this drought record-breaking; the past few years have been the driest in the 115 years of records the US Bureau of Reclamation has kept. With the exacerbating effect of the climate along with the minimal amount of rain, this drought will likely become worse. That’s why it is so important for everyone to help. To contribute, please consider donating to the charities listed below.


Charities



References


Walton, B. (2021, June 24). Drought, the everything disaster. Circle of Blue. https://www.circleofblue.org/2021/world/drought-the-everything-disaster/


 
 
 

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