Drought Covers 95% Of West, Expected To Last Until Fall
As much of the Western United States is beleaguered by source water scarcity, research shows that the problem will persist for months.
“Drought now covers almost 95% of 11 western states, including all of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon and Idaho, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor,” The Mercury News reported. “Above-normal temperatures and a dearth of rainfall is expected from August to October, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s monthly report.”
Though drought has been an issue in this region for years, the current conditions are setting new normals that are confronting national water systems with unprecedented challenges.
“The temperatures are setting more records from coast to coast, with the contiguous U.S. having its warmest June in the 127-year record,” per The Mercury News. “California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Arizona are also having record hot months. In the East, so did Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.”
In Nevada, for instance, unprecedented mandatory water cuts still likely won’t be enough to combat the worsening drought conditions.
“Lake Mead, the vast reservoir that supplies Las Vegas with 90% of its water, has now plummeted to a historic low, meaning Nevada faces the first ever mandatory reduction in its water supply next year,” The Guardian reported. “There’s a growing realization, however, that such rules — no watering between 11 am and 7 pm, none at all on Sundays — won’t be sufficient as Nevada is squeezed by a drought that has escalated dangerously in 2021.”
Meanwhile, in Washington State, record drought conditions prompted the governor to issue an emergency drought declaration.
“Officials said the state’s current drought conditions are a result of an abnormally dry spring — [State Department of Ecology Director Laura] Watson said this has been the second-driest spring in the state since 1885 — and the record-breaking heat wave that swept across the Northwest,” per Seattle PI.
And in Oregon, the current source water scarcity conditions are approaching new records as well.
“Oregon’s drought is officially the second worst in the state’s history as dry conditions continue to worsen, according to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor,” KEZI reported. “At 54 percent, over half of the state is experiencing extreme drought conditions which means they may see high wildfire activity and drying lakes.”
To read more about how drought conditions affect drinking water systems, visit Water Online’s Source Water Scarcity Solutions Center.