How 'Super' El Niño Could Impact Colorado River Water Crisis
Summary
A strong El Niño weather pattern may develop later this year and could bring more rain and snow to the southwestern U.S. This might help improve water levels in the drought-hit Colorado River and its reservoirs, which supply water to millions of people and farms.Key Facts
- El Niño is a natural climate event that changes ocean temperatures and weather patterns every 2 to 7 years.
- It usually causes wetter winters in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and southwestern Colorado.
- A "super" El Niño, stronger than usual, may form between May and July 2024.
- The Colorado River supplies water to about 40 million people and irrigates about 5 million acres of farmland.
- The river’s main reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, have had low water levels due to drought.
- Low water levels have threatened hydropower production at the Glen Canyon Dam on Lake Powell.
- More snow in the mountains helps refill reservoirs by increasing runoff into the river.
- Scientists and water managers hope El Niño’s wet weather can ease the ongoing water crisis in the American West.
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