Colorado River crisis could force drastic water measures across the West
The Colorado River is facing a crisis due to increasing water demands and a declining supply caused by climate change. Major reservoirs like Lake Mead and Lake Powell are nearing critically low levels, prompting states to consider drastic water conservation measures. Experts warn that without a collaborative approach among the states, mandatory cuts could threaten agriculture and urban water supplies.
- ▪The snowpack in the Rockies that feeds the Colorado River fell to record lows this winter.
- ▪Approximately 40 million people in the West depend on the Colorado River for their daily water needs.
- ▪Federal officials have started releasing billions of gallons of water into Lake Powell to prevent disruptions in hydropower.
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CBS Evening News Colorado River crisis could force drastic water measures across the West, experts say .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-evening-news.jpg'); } By Jonathan Vigliotti Jonathan Vigliotti Correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti is a CBS News correspondent based in Los Angeles. Vigliotti's reporting has taken him to more than three dozen countries and territories across six continents. Read Full Bio Jonathan Vigliotti May 16, 2026 / 9:20 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Los Angeles — The Colorado River is in crisis, with a growing population taking more water from it as a hotter climate is drying up the supply.The snowpack in the Rockies that feeds the river fell to record lows this winter, pushing major reservoirs downstream —…
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