60 Minutes climate archive: Running Dry

In 2021, Colorado River water levels dropped so low, the federal government for the first time declared an official shortage. As Bill Whitaker reported, the river’s health is a concern for 40 million people in the West.
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[@gamingtonight1526]

The drought is always blamed as though it's the sole issue, but expanding cities, bad pipe infrastructure and the wastage of water by the population, businesses and farms are all part of it too.

[@user-ug3qq4py3i]

If you have knowlege of these factors you should contact the folks that are working to mitigate water loss of the Colorado River Basin. 5 states stand to lose their water foothold.

[@michaelvillarreal1225]

I agree with your statement-All of those are factors leading to water scarcity in that region.

[@georgesealy4706]

Let's stop farming. Then we can die of starvation and not have to worry about it.

[@Johnny-tt9gs]

I agree with you. Water conservation needs to be a "whole" approach. Everyone needs to conserve and the narrative around usage needs to change. I've never understood how these desert communities waste precious water for lawns, golf courses, pools, etc. I don't live in this region nor am I going to pretend I know what is happening there but big changes need to happen and quick.

[@fishdog70]

But the golf courses

[@antonleimbach648]

Farming in the desert is as crazy as unlimited population growth in the desert. There are plenty of acres east of the Mississippi that can be farmed.

[@ClassicRed2159]

There was a reason it was a desert but man wants his steak and dessert at the same time. Green greed.

[@luvphoenix956]

nobody wanna live in Mississippi

[@at1970]

People since JW Powell have been warning against the unlimited growth in people and development that has occurred in the desert south west. This development was never going to be sustainable. First it ruined the lifestyle and now it’s destroying the economy and the environment. More people more development is not always better.

[@johnanderson8096]

SPOT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jessmc90]

I’m a member of one of the Colorado River tribes talked about in this clip. We have a seat at the table now but still being dismissed regarding input. We’ve live for thousands of years on the banks of the river and the river looks so small nowadays. I never thought I would see it in my time. Our home is drying up before our eyes

[@ocsrc]

Temperatures for 4 months in Phoenix are in the triple digits Over 120 It is a desert No one was ever supposed to live there, but there are 10 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING THERE !!!!! THAT'S INSANE !!!

[@jorgearispe6581]

Relax Phoenix metro is only 5 million

[@gtubgle]

Its crazy how much people have moves there. I don't think people are experiencing the summers there prior to moving.

[@1just4laughs]

@@jorgearispe6581 5 mil with the least rights.....and rapidly growing It's a train wreck that they see and dont even talk about. They have no plan....they dont even track well water use. Time is running out fast

[@sicknado]

"The problem is not to find the answer, but to face it." -Terence McKenna

[@jamesw5836]

Good luck with that in the US. Thirty five years ago I was sitting in a university library reading one of the first papers on climate change and future impact on the US water supply. They 100% nailed everything that is happening today, including the "We can make this work" attitude I see in this video. Only in the "good ole US" could you have a cluster like this.

[@mark-ish]

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it." ― Upton Sinclair

[@larragunn2809]

@@mark-ish well said and it’s impossible for a person to understand that which is simply beyond their mental reach

[@markwgundert4251]

I feel bad for the farmers, but It makes no sense to farm in the desert anymore, it's not effective use of water.

[@Bryan-ed6ee]

I believe the soils in the southwest are of high quality. I know the soils in and around LA are prime for agriculture.

[@markwgundert4251]

@@Bryan-ed6ee It probably is great soil, but you can see how that works out during a drought situation combined with higher demand with expanding desert cities.....which are to blame as well. Bad planning from greedy developers and government officials who assumed there will always be abundant water.

[@michaelvillarreal1225]

Mediterranean climate is the best place to grow crops such as olives, almonds, grapes, and agave-S. California is considered to be similar to a Mediterranean climate. The farmers are suffering due to rampant urban sprawl, climate change, and water scarcity.

[@georgesealy4706]

Oh let's stop farming. And then people will complain about food and the high price of it. Yeah, let's do that.

[@markwgundert4251]

@@georgesealy4706 lack of water would cause farming to slow/stop in the region, thus driving up prices either way. I think golf courses should be cut off before farmers

[@persononyoutube8666]

Who in their right mind thought that despite the growing problems of climate change, that they should move... all the way to the desert... where there is a water shortage?

[@beaumershon3066]

oh, and don't forget the gulf clubs. beautiful green felids and lawns everywhere...

[@robertcohen8554]

Because the southwest is "trendy"

[@TonyPlease]

Rich people

[@whattheactual4546]

They literally don’t believe in climate change.

[@larragunn2809]

Who looked at the desert to being with and thought” golly, this desert looks like a great place to farm and we should try THE MOST water consumptive crops, golly why not..?”

[@freeheeler09]

Overpopulation is the elephant in the room. If we didn't have tens of millions of people dependent upon Colorado River water, there wouldn't be an issue. The US has a population of a third of a billion. I'm not sure we can sustain the people, cities and farms that we currently have, much less add more.

[@jeremysmith9694]

Yeah let's start decreasing the surplus population

[@robertcohen8554]

Don't worry...the whole planet's ecosystems are collapsing by mid century.

[@sammencia7945]

Lake Mead dropped to under 1065 feet 4 weeks ago. Up one foot in 4 weeks.

[@LastChanceTinyHouse]

That last statement was what's going to happen. "it's just a matter of time before it's all gonna be gone." He was talking about the farm water, but it's deeper then that, when the farm water go's, so will all the other uses we have for water. One of these days, a glass of water will be worth a pretty penny.

[@polkcountyboxbreaks]

I feel like the increase in human consumption of the water over the last 20 years is just as much of the problem.

[@louiearmstrong]

St George is a perfect example of high use. The unchecked golf club and lawn culture doesn't help. Many UT residents are wealthy and DGAF

[@jeremysmith9694]

Yeah let's just stop drinking water. I live in St George btw

[@Wixom2200]

AZ is in trouble!!! People denied this years ago I heard. Now, look. We need people like Udall, who research this. Thank you. One idea is no new lawns in AZ and bordering states. Just rock landscape etc.

[@lovingme1st973]

NV is also in trouble.

[@mochiebellina8190]

There are over 130 golf courses in Palm Springs, Ca.

[@wothotalro1610]

Is it not a fact that alfalfa and cotton are two of the most thirsty crops one can choose to grow? Seems like a no brainer.

[@Kiyoone]

When i was in the school (almost 20 years ago) I read a nice science book that compared the water consumption in different place on earth... There, it was said that an average american uses 2500 liters (660 galons) to 3000 liters (790 galons) of water daily... While some european ones uses just about 500 liters... Its a huge difference.... And i guess that the consumption get even higher in arid and dry climate with all those pools and grass

[@redxxxxxxx]

The rivers where originally dammed to control flooding.I hope California floods like it did in 1852 (up to 15' of water covered the whole central valley)before the CO2 climate LIE.Drought or flood "YOU" will still be blamed and taxed for something you cannot comprehend or see,unless you understand the full history of the southwest climate.

[@killjoy0484]

@@redxxxxxxx Good point, they don't talk about how many people have moved to california and the lower basin the past two decades.. maybe theres too many people pulling out of the colorado river? These reservoirs could sustain themselves throughout the year, even in a dry year if there wasn't so many soyboys pulling from them.

[@richardcogbill6791]

It's increased water demand in a growing populated and agricultural area in what is an arid desert region that is getting warmer and drier. Whether urban dweller or farmer, people will just have to adapt and manage decreasing water resources.

[@richardcogbill6791]

@@redxxxxxxx From your comment, it's telling that YOU don't know or understand the full climate history of the west and how climate has been dramatically changing for the last forty years.

[@freeheeler09]

The world has added almost 2,000,000,000 people since you were in school. That is also an issue.

[@catcherzw]

Almost like building a bunch of cities in a desert wasn’t a sustainable option..

[@ocsrc]

There are so many bodies at the deepest part of the lakes. When we see the bottom, so many cold cases and missing person cases will be solved

[@knitterliness]

This is just the natural outcome of turning desert into farm land. It couldn't last forever, and it should not. The crops should be grown at a higher latitude where water delivery is less threatened. And people in LA should not be hosing down their damn driveways.

[@iLoveBoysandBerries]

I hose my driveway everyday in LA... It makes it nice

[@jomanci]

@@iLoveBoysandBerries ever work in Resteraunt or commercial jobs? They waste the most .

[@JoelLittle-mm8ed]

Something should have been done 20 years ago,

[@vinerwe]

Why do we need gourds?

[@randygeyer7673]

So when the population grows no one thinks about efficiency? That seems pretty stupid.

[@catsanddogs17]

He’s farming gords in a desert - are gords really critical to society….

[@everythingisfine9988]

Compared to what? Houses in the desert?

[@hint0122]

@@everythingisfine9988 houses serve a purpose, what do Gords?

[@Kiyoone]

It is Gourds right?... It is very common in asia where it rains a lot!! What is a gourd and what was it used for? gourd, any of the hard-shelled fruits of certain members of the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. Many gourds are cultivated as ornamentals, decorations, or food crops, and some can be dried and used to make decorative or useful objects. *In another words, It can be a fancy light stand to decorate your house, a bird feeder, IDK...

[@Kiyoone]

But yeah, it is stupid to plant it in a desert

[@sammencia7945]

When people say "Is that critical to society?" they reveal an authoritarian mindset. If only YOU were the dictator in charge everything would be fine.

[@franciscoosuna259]

It is truly a sad situation. And, even sadder that 20 years has passed for people to wake up to the situation. We now face 2026 when the states and all those dependent on the water are legally required to come up with a new plan for water management. Obviously the old plan was not addressing the problem. Even as early as 1990, when a Phoenix suburb was developed, there was talk of the need for better water management. This suburb is known for the World's Tallest Fountain, squirting almost 600 feet in height, in the largest, most arid, metropolitan area of the lower 48. i.e. This was a monumental monument; man can conquer nature. There has been talk of conservation for 30 years but not embraced by the inhabitants. Attitude is the problem. Let me give you another example. In 2002 one of the Native American tribes in the Southwest asked the architectural firm that I worked at to submit a master plan for a new residential development. I was not involved in the project but all members of the company were invited to attend a presentation to the tribe. I decided to sit in the back of the meeting room that could accommodate 300. The tribe representatives were between me and the raised stage. The architect assigned to lead the proposal, had recently joined the company, relocated from a state in the mid-west. The PowerPoint showed the street layout and relation to the “Old Town” that had existed before arrival of the Mayflower. At the center of the development the architect planned a “Green Space” and actually was colored as green on the otherwise brown, black and white plan. Every time he said Green Space several tribe reps would whisper to each other. I did not intend to comment but felt the need to and raised my hand. It was my attempt, by example, to let the tribe members know that they could chime in anytime. The best that I could think to say in this touchy situation was “can we call it something other than Green Space?” To which the lead architect replied, “there has to be a Green Space, desert is so boring otherwise” in a matter of fact manner. I think you get the picture that he aspired to recreate Cincinnati’s Eden Park, or Chicago’s Portage Park but was limited by the budget. Water was a very minor issue to the project team. As you might have guessed; this Native American old town for 1000 years did not have Green Space manicured lawn, nor fountains, nor sculptured hedges despite being founded on the banks of a river. That was not due to lack of budget, it was simply dealing with reality.

[@uprightape100]

Inappropriate crops like cotton (not food) and alfalfa (not human food) are the thirstiest here in Arizona. I would be WAY more sympathetic toward our farmers if they grew only food for humans. Cochise County is committing water suicide by growing massive amounts of alfalfa for feed lot baby dairy cows destined for Midwest dairy farms, and they don't get ANY water from the river.

[@robertcohen8554]

Are you vegan too?

[@danielalonzo7445]

Everyone wants a full meal with only crumbs left

[@ocsrc]

The largest snow storm ever is falling right now and will raise Lake Mead 50 feet this spring

[@denisdaly1708]

Will make no difference as the drought will still be there in the summer.

[@fishdog70]

Keep telling yourself that

[@graysonridge4080]

Not even the same watershed

[@robertcohen8554]

OK, and?

[@byronbuck1762]

Nope.

[@missshroom5512]

The Utah part of this story is so discouraging 😔

[@casienwhey]

If there really is a drought, then why are there golf courses, grass lawns, outdoor swimming pools and water intensive crops being grown?

[@crieff1sand2s]

Interesting piece....👍

[@aldasilva8847]

Two months later, record snowfall has resurrected hope for a replenished Colorado River, and all the water users will go back to their unsustainable water habits. Predictably, the crisis will eventually return, but a more entrenched climate change might not save the Colorado River again.

[@graysonridge4080]

The Colorado watershed was not as impacted by this cycle. In Colorado, some mountain areas got up to 89" of snow in a week... but that only brought the snowpack up to about AVERAGE. Prior to that, there was almost no snow on the ground in December.

[@catcherzw]

I read that it still won’t be enough :/

[@narlywaves2371]

The problem is evaporation duhhmyy

[@yahwehschild1375]

Sustainable. A demon term to fool the people into believing that what Yahweh provided for them is in scarcity. Only a fool without the presence of God will believe it.

[@mariadowler1279]

there will be no rainfall eventually, regardless of the odd fall and flood its going quicker than its being topped up, the sooner that people accept this the better for them.

[@joshhendryx5028]

Water, electricity costs and property taxes are nuts in Arizona.

[@thomasbernecky2078]

I like greens in winter, but I'm sure I can live without gourds and cotton?

[@LostAnFound]

How frustrating to know that this was not just preventable, future pain is preventable and the necessary actions aren’t being taken.

[@mark-ish]

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it." ― Upton Sinclair

[@LostAnFound]

@@mark-ish ". . . until that man sees other men benefitting from understanding scarcity and working to combat it" - Me

[@mark-ish]

@@LostAnFound 9:10 'it's not my scarcity' it's someone else's

[@offgrid-goo-roo]

Mexico, homes get 150 gallons of water per week. That's it. We need to learn from that. "Cities to use water as efficient as possible." Residential sector can live on 150 gal per person, per week.. Cut our water use 90% NOW! The days when a household used 10,000 gallons per month are over! --WATER WASTING IS OVER. 1. Take 2 gallon showers( 1/4 gallon per min ) showerhead. 2. Laundry water, recycle for toilet water and plant irrigation. 3. Install photo-eye faucets( 6oz per use ). Use foam soap, yes SIX OUNCES is enough. 4. Drinking water, purchase bottled water. 5. Lawn irrigation in desert States, discontinued forever. Replace grass with artificial turf, or alternative landscape. Recommendation: TAKE DRASTIC MEASURES NOW. GET WATER BACK INTO RESERVOIRS. OTHERWISE, YOU WILL RUN OUT OF ELECTRIC POWER TOO.

[@carmionfuhrman865]

Watching this now, as I've just started reading the book "Cadillac Desert". The history behind this is overwhelming, the future is pretty scary.

[@Brandon-rc9vp]

The elephant in the room here is that the whole world economic system is based on population and consumption growth rather than sustainability. Too many humans living in a throw away culture, companies no longer producing durable goods, tech companies making their own product obsolete through software slowdowns to force you to buy new ones - chip makers use insane amounts of water and multiple fabs are opening in Arizona now, not to mention the rare earth mines that are required. Why don't economists ever discuss this? 8 billion is already over stressing the world, we can't continue exponential growth forever, we need to start stopping and planning for how that will work now.

[@robertcohen8554]

The end is near, total worldwide environmental collapse.

[@stevendaniel8126]

It would be interesting to see the present situation after the last two months of historic rain and snow events.

[@1bwight]

It was literally a drop in the bucket. It would need nearly 18 months of historical rain falls to begin to gain back the water.

[@user-ug3qq4py3i]

Unfortunately these events will not recover the Colorado River Basin.

[@marzsit9833]

steven none of that historic rain and snow occured in the colorado river watershed, it was all much farther north or farther east.

[@michaelvillarreal1225]

California needs frequent snowfall in their mountainous areas in order to fill the reservoirs during the summer. When the snow melts, it ends up in their waterways-but it needs to be frequent.

[@richardcogbill6791]

Two months of record snow or rainfall will change little to nothing in a 22 year drought and warmer drier trend into the future.

[@christinalynn8143]

Perhaps some of the residents could quickly consider putting a pond installation in their yard, on their property as a water source, it will not connect with the need for water but at least it would possibly serve as a water source on their land.

[@MARTRELL17]

Wouldn't be a drought if that Dam wasn't there. Starving the earth of water

[@robertcohen8554]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@patriot8087]

Yeah what are you going to say when it fills up again.

[@brentgroenhuizen617]

Stop over populating a nice place! You let every house developer go nuts!

[@dixonbuttes6564]

Thank you for telling the real story here … this story hits all of the leading variables and doesn’t over simplify this to “climate change”, which is not a leading variable in what’s happening here. Yes, it’s a variable, but it’s a contributing variable, not a leading one.

[@mastercreamer1398]

The Sahara desert has fossils of mangrove roots. In this world sea”s become deserts. This is just the first time 40 million people have depended on the “sea”

[@martingainty9623]

If Colorado River is going dry why is Governor Newsom shuttering Huntington Beach Desal FreshWater Plant ?

[@bigd9526]

I still say a good 15 to 25 percent of our water is in mega warehouses throughout the world remember all those soda companies use water to make there products and then stock these mega warehouses with bottled water to

[@petemiller9404]

So are sea levels rising or falling?

[@maximus9812]

The bottom line is that this planet cannot withstand infinite growth. These resource-scarce regions are just the first to feel the squeeze.

[@WhoopityDoo]

9:03 Idiots like this are going to be the end of us. Too concerned what they're entitled too and not seeing that it'll result in them having nothing at all.

[@jaredkyle5987]

We all need to do the rain dance!!

[@joshnizzle]

Why do we have so many farms in desert states?

[@ritataylor4646]

Time to apply The Three Sisters solution to growing 3 different crops squash, corn and beans with very little water.

[@robertcohen8554]

Nuts and soybeans...all should be vegan

[@paul2081ok]

We saw the Origin of the Colorado River which is the modest runoff from a small wooden dam near Old Sulfur Hot Springs!

[@toastedjoe1013]

Sam Kinison has a bit about living in the desert.

[@xevious2501]

they shouldve been creating water pipelines from the pacific to those mid western states. , and ya cant say its impossible as there not only roads that do so, trains, but also oil pipelines.

[@jeffgold3091]

when explorer john wesley powell testified before congress in 1870:he warned that the desert southwest should never be attempted to be farmed or populated . congress ignored him . too many people , not enough water . simple

[@basxm]

I doubt this is the right place to make a suggestion but there isnt such a link that i could find. I think we should have a Snow Drive...like a toy drive. All neighbouring states with exess snow....including Alaska and Canada if they want and start trucking in snow and dumping it into to the head waters of the Colorado river in the rockies. Snow was already going to be dumped there anyways naturally as snow is freash water. Or organize a collection of snow for redistribution that falls in the roockies and push/move/truck towards the Colorado river head waters. Theres nothing more to do as nature takes over with melt and flow

[@diegocarrillo472]

Let's hope that there'll be more gallons of water.

[@steven4315]

Lower basin has too many people. Upper basin want to use more water and to grow. We just need to get 10 million people to move from the lower basin to the upper basin.

[@8ballwil]

The farmers need to organize against the golf courses.

[@BAM5636]

Definitely should not be golf courses in the desert at all. So I agree.

[@gardengeek3041]

With a surplus in the Midwest Corn Belt, why would any sane person plant a thirsty corn crop in Arizona, @1:33 ??? Do we want more corn and less electricity?

[@user-ug3qq4py3i]

Folks here on the Front Range are not getting it. The lawns they plant and insist on having are gonna have to go. Serious stuff. Lessons to learn, and quickly.

[@gamingtonight1526]

They also need smaller, deeper reservoirs, as the increasing heat, due to climate change, is evaporating more and more water from the reservoirs every year!

[@john-paulnagel2732]

Sad 😞

[@demetriusthomas7229]

some use trees to lower the evaporation of water

[@BadManN_TheBushes]

Sad I visited the west in the 90s..water was up at lake mead the hoover dam has these cylindrical hexagonal white pipes just had their heads poking above that water now they are damn near fully exposed covered by hardly any water.

[@UmmYeahOk]

Clearly the river was never built to be Y2K compliant

[@RickRoss440]

Why not use seawater desalination form the pacific ocean to add additional supply? In addition to measures designed to cut back on use of fresh water across the country.

[@ericar1001]

I think this is where we will head but the energy and cost to produce a gallon of water will be much much higher

[@RickRoss440]

@@ericar1001 Yes but this is all occurring in some of the most solar energy rich environments in the world just power the whole process with renewable energy?

[@jaymzgaetz2006]

So why hasn't wick irrigation been used in agriculture?

[@steven4315]

Because the feds sell western farmers water at far below cost. Why conserve what is cheap?

[@SoapinTrucker]

OK, let me see if I can convey in a compact way, what is, and has been, on my mind about freshwater, relative to the planet, and inherently our lives. First, I have to wonder, where is all the water? Right? It's like Gold, it doesn't go away, it doesn't literally get used up, it is ALL still here, since the beginning of time. Somewhere. Some say desalination is the answer. At first, I was shocked! I surmised that this would ultimately alter/change the Ocean, and the life in it. Well, theoretically, I think this is still correct, BUT, then I though about all of the polar ice melting, due to climate change. OK, that will help keep salination of the ocean in balance, diluting the brine being dumped in from desal plants. Check. What about aquifers? Well, I have read some interesting articles/data about hem, mostly in the USA, but a few about the Sahara Desert too. OK, they are tracking them, they know about them, and can guesstimate their content, or lack thereof. Good. Check. What about weather patterns? Mother Nature will handle that/them. Good. Check. What about rain collection/harvesting? Well, that's a regional, or area specific argument, and seems to be hammered out in local jurisdictions. That's good. Check. What about pulling water from the air? Again, initially I was shocked at this idea. Won't this affect weather patterns? Well, then I also reckoned, no, not really, evaporation will do it's thing, and replenish the moisture in the air. That's good. Check. What about conservation of water resources, and recycling? Well, we have been working on this lately in California, and I think Arizona too, so that's getting figured out, and most people ARE onboard with it, so that's good. Check. So what about the super poor countries that don't have the resources, funding, infrastructure to make/get fresh water? Well, they can refer to the aforementioned thoughts, and to boot, a lot of great help is being channeled to them from 1st world nations, there are articles and videos that support this comment. It will take time, but help is on the way. That's good. Check. So you see folks, WE as a human race, ARE aware, and ARE working on it! We are learning, albeit slowly, to conserve water, use it wisely, and help others. THAT is good! Now if we can just turn off the water to the super unnecessary stuff like Las Vegas Hotel displays, and build smaller pools, use more water friendly plants and grasses for our homes, etc etc, we'll be alright. We will figure it all out, and do ok! We need to worry about other facets of the stone though, like the water used to make a hamburger! Over 600 gallons per beef patty! Eat more Chicken, huh? LOL ;) Maybe if we stop spending so much money on MIL, we could use it for infrastructure too? Yeah, that would be great. Check. ..

[@diggleda2952]

Took the words right out of my mind. I see this as well. Optimism in our species’ ability to adapt and weariness of complacency will help us overcome this hurdle to nature’s prosperity.

[@guppyspop]

Droughts are like storms . . .cycles.

[@JO-mg6xc]

Plant almond trees in big non leaking pots.

[@larryhiigel1680]

What about the plan of diverting the Columbia.

[@kugi123]

that farmer is a millionaire, I don't feel your pain

[@King-sf2ov]

Don't Take the water from the river hello ...if you move it will dry by the dirt ....keep the water in the lakes or river government will always miss up the water paths

[@mostbestjia627]

Show people how many golf courts per 1k people St George UT has.

[@losttravelingbackpacker3757]

Well they should only allow food crops two grow that are for food only for citizens in America , not crops for products like tires ect or export

[@losttravelingbackpacker3757]

And dont forget Mexico needs it share two

[@tomblakley7171]

Sure doesn't help with the food problem ...

[@tonynes3577]

Seems like they have been fighting over water for the last century. So how do desert countries manage? Desalination of the ocean might be one solution. Nuclear power plants and desalination plants. We have adapt to change. The news broadcast should also mention potential long term solutions like I mention.

[@rickwatts8130]

The problem is urban sprawl... Not enough water for the last 15 years of new transplants to Arizona, Nevada and Utah An unprecedented housing crash will happen in the region bcuz it will be a mass abandonment situation once HydroElectricity is impacted. It's just a matter of time at this point

[@harleyv1969]

Let us pray for water

[@WhoopityDoo]

With climate change destroying the glaciers in the Rocky Mountains, the very glaciers that feed the Colorado River that sources most of the water, praying isn't going to do much.

[@JO-mg6xc]

Doom doom doomed… earth 🌍 fights back

[@DavidElzeitsinfill]

The biggest idea I am trying to express is tunneling aqueducts from the coast, in this case the west coast of the USA inland to feed combination geothermal power and sea water desalination plants. The idea seems to be so big that no one has considered it possible but I believe it is not only possible but it is necessary. For over a century the fossil water contained in aquifers has been pumped out to feed agriculture, industry and municipal water needs. The natural water cycle cant refill fossil water deposits that were filled 10,000 years ago when the glaciers melted after the last ice age. Without refilling these aquifers there is not much of a future for the region of the United states. As a result ground levels in some areas of the San Joaquin Valley have subsided by more than 30 feet. Similar fossil water depletion is happening in other regions all around the world. TBM and tunneling technology has matured and further developments in the industry are poised to speed up the tunneling process and it's these tunnels that are the only way to move large volumes of water from the ocean inland. The water is moved inland to areas where it can be desalinated in geothermal plants producing clean water and power. In many cases the water will recharge surface reservoirs where it will be used first to make more hydro power before being released into rivers and canal systems. It's very important however to not stop tunneling at these first stops but to continue several legs until the water has traveled from the ocean under mountain ranges to interior states. Along the way water will flow down grade through tunnels and rise in geothermal loops to fill mountain top pumped hydro batteries several times before eventually recharging several major aquifers. What I am proposing is essentially reversing the flow of the Colorado River Compact. Bringing water from the coast of California first to mountaintop reservoirs then to the deserts of Nevada and Arizona and on to Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. This big idea looks past any individual city or states problems and looks at the whole and by using first principles identifies the actual problem and only solution. Thank you for your time, I would like the opportunity to explain in further detail and answer any questions. A better future is possible, David

[@fostyseedman]

why not upgrade the farmers to large scale hydroponic farms? it is a desert we don't want to overuse something that's now getting scarce, and maybe conserve river siphoning so it can replenish itself. we don't want a repeat the dust bowl or whatever is going to happens when the river dries up.

[@mochiebellina8190]

Thousand year draught... that darned Putin. And he made the gas price hike too.

[@davidgarcia6095]

That dude can change cotton for hemp, hemp is better and doesn’t need much water

[@mihadalzayat6957]

Build a water pipeline from Washington state

[@dlmalley8639]

Or do the practical thing. Grow drought hardy crops. Like HEMP FIBER . If people do research on how many different products can be made from it.. Even HEMPCREAT Europe is way ahead of USA. Making homes, muti story apartments. HEMPCREAT is 🔥FIRE RESISTANT 💥HINT > CALIFORNIA Good insulation, Mold FREE Hemp, Lyme and little water 💧 👌 SAVE OUR FORESTS 🌲 ( most beings on this Earth Breath OXYGEN) 🤓 Keep Earth Green 🌎 Not create more deserts.🏜

[@dlmalley8639]

INCINERATOR toilets saves ANNORMOUS amount of water 💧 👌 👏

[@freeheeler09]

Washington and Oregon would never agree to that.Irrigated ag and fishing are big in those states.

[@BELLAZENN]

Farmers first 🙌🏾

[@henryburns1477]

Trying to find Static seriously I sitting at the feed store in Somerville tx 77879 and they didn't never come back was looking out trolling my hair really panicking

[@ClassicRed2159]

Need more golf courses in the deserts.....................Murica

[@90barns]

They need to stop developing. The more people come in; the more resources are needed.

[@AllIsWellaus]

Why haven't they banded together to ban water usage such as private swimming pools, watering lawns and better regulation of crops. Stating the obvious, Here's the direct result of arrogance and greed over what is best for this region. I sincerely hope they tune into this reality before it is too late.

[@robertcohen8554]

Ban meat and dairy consumption first.

[@michaels.chupka9411]

"dial back demand"? shouldn't y'all have come to that conclusion back when the dams were built? but y'all need swimming pools and grass lawns?

[@jeremylewis5154]

I don't understand how they are dialing back demand with new construction in Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California. Cutting back farming is not good enough.

[@paulbraga4460]

this is why the U.S. is not listened to in climate change conversations...blessings to all

[@tombeilharz4880]

Is it climate change or is it the number of people living in the desert?

[@royce6861]

Stupidity in the lower states is what we call it in Colorado.

[@swedesam]

Time to invest in water stocks....it can only go up in the foreseeable future.

[@WhoopityDoo]

One day Americans are going to find out that money can't be eaten.

[@woodsmn8047]

Mark Twain said ...Whisky is for drinkin ... water is fer fightin over .. This situation promises one heck of a fight ..!

[@zspence77]

They should grow high water consuming crops in Washington state. We got more rain than we know what to do with. If they are looking for more of a desert look, go to Eastern Washington. There's desert all over the place...

[@brosephjames]

The frost kills the crops. The allure of desert farming is year round sushine. Sunshine that never ends.

[@jeffgold3091]

there is more water taken from the river than the amount of flow in the river . farmers and cities are contracted for water supply that is greater than the capacity of the river . not a big mystery why the levels are low . ….glen canyon dam is the worst ecological disaster in US history .

[@johnrobinson4741]

TALK TALK TALK good bye, waste not want not. Should have taken water shortage seriously years ago..

[@mikelyons9228]

, climate change was not a phrase in the year 2000.

[@joblack420]

Some thing is being over looked Why is the water lower Go fare back to where it comes from Mountain tops that are not white like the old days Water is going to thr oceans now Better get water from the oceans better not mess with the river Dont mess with the river

[@kristinebailey6554]

Yep. I live in Aurora, CO and the mountain tops are nearly bare at the end of December.