The Southwest U.S. Is Facing Huge Water Shortages As Colorado's Snowpacks Are Thinning

As global temperatures rise, many of Colorado’s snowpacks are getting increasingly thinner. The snowpacks are the main source of water for millions of people in the western U.S., as the melting snow runs into streams, rivers, and eventually reservoirs.

In southwest Colorado (which is already experiencing a drought) the snowpack is 40% of its normal levels, and reservoirs on the Colorado River, such as Lake Powell and Lake Mead, are expected to reach historically low levels. Recreational and ranching businesses, as well as small towns, are trying to prepare for the effects of drought, while the government prepares for longer and harsher fire seasons.