As water issues go, 2021 was a “banner year” in terms of media coverage and overall general interest. Now that 2022 has arrived – and we’re officially in a Tier 1 Colorado River shortage – it might be a good time to refresh your memory on a few stories from 2021 that certainly carry over into this new year.
The biggest news story (after the pandemic, of course) was the declaration of the first-ever Tier 1 shortage on the Colorado River. Need a refresher? Take a look at “Colorado River shortage: Here’s what you need to know.”
One story that seemed especially helpful as we worked through the ins-and-outs of what a shortage means was “A matter of priorities.” This “explainer” steps through CAP’s priority system, showing who was first affected by a shortage. It was even used by CNN to explain the situation!
We’ve planned for shortage for quite some time – and we’ve also planned for a future in a hotter and drier environment. This includes partnerships aimed at additional conservation and potential new supplies. With that in mind, take a look at:
- Water agencies announce partnership to invest $200 million in conservation efforts to bolster Colorado River’s Lake Mead under 500+ Plan
- Collaborative partnerships focus on cost-effective solution to allow agriculture to thrive while conserving Colorado River Water
- CAP and ADWR partner with Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to advance development of large-scale recycled water project
And finally, you’ll want to keep your eye on the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package: What it means for CAP, to keep tabs on the $8.3 billion allocated to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation during the next 5 years for Western water infrastructure.
