Dancing with Deadpool: The 26-year-long Colorado River Crisis

Join the Udall Center and the U of A School of Geography, Development, and Environment for a colloquium talk by Senior Water and Climate Research Scientist / Scholar at Colorado State University’s Colorado Water Center Bradley Udall.

Friday, September 26 at 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
ENR2 S107

Since 2000 the Colorado River has lost 20% of its annual flow, with higher temperatures and precipitation declines to blame. Up to half of this loss has been attributed to human caused warming. Lakes Powell and Mead have lost two-thirds of their volume, are at unprecedented low levels and are nearing deadpool. Over the last 25 years the basin states and the federal government have agreed upon several temporary solutions involving water delivery reductions but these agreements expire next year.  High stakes negotiations over the new management rules are underway.  Arizona has a unique position among the 7 Colorado River states with the most at risk due to a 1968 law. How did we get here? What river flows and climate might we expect going forward?  What solutions might work? What are the current major issues in the negotiations? 

Registration link forthcoming.