July 25th USED TO BE Colorado River Day

Deer Creek Falls Area. RM 137

Image via flikr

 

The Colorado River was originally called The Grand River but its name was changed on July 25, 1921. The Colorado provides water to much of the Western United States, electricity for Nevada (the bright lights of Las Vegas come to mind), and outdoor recreation for millions of people.


From the Public News Service:

“The Colorado River and its tributaries run through seven states and supply drinking water to 36 million Americans. The river irrigates more than 60 percent of Colorado farmland. According to the Department of the Interior’s Colorado River Basin Study, demand on the river’s water already exceeds supply, and the need is expected to grow in the next 50 years.”

The Colorado River is part of the Colorado River Basin. This basin provides water to seven states and more than ten percent of the population of the US, about forty million people. ?America has two “most” famous rivers: The Mighty Mississippi and The Colorado. The Colorado is dying. Scientists who study water say that the demands on the river exceed the amount of water in the river by thirty percent or more. ?This is a recipe for disaster to say the least.

Today we celebrate the Colorado River Day. The question is: How long until we mourn the passing of the Colorado River?

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