The Colorado River in a Changing Climate: Past, Present, and Future

Description

How will climate change impact water availability in Colorado? HC3 and the Summit Climate Action Collaborative host Brad Udall, CSU Senior Water and Climate Research Scientist, to give a talk on climate change and water, Wednesday September 18 from 6 – 7:30 at the Frisco Adventure Park Day Lodge.

Since 2000, the Colorado River has been in an extended drought. On average, annual flows are down over 16%. This is true even with years like the just-passed winter of 2018-2019. Since the start of the drought, the nation’s two largest reservoirs, Lakes Mead and Powell, have lost over 40% of their water storage. Only a year ago, the summer of 2018 was the warmest and driest in the gage record of the basin going all the way back to 1895. Scientists have tied the decline in flows to higher temperatures from our rapidly changing climate. What is the future of this river upon which near all Coloradans depend in some way?

Food and drinks provided; cash bar will be open. We hope you will join us!