Colorado River

The Colorado River is one of the longest rivers in the United States, at about 1450 mi (2330 km) long, and flows from the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado, just west of the Continental Divide, then primarily southwest through Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, then flows along the border between Nevada and Arizona, and Arizona and California; and continues through Mexico, emptying into the Gulf of California. It passes through several Lakes and dams, most notably Glen Canyon Dam and Hoover Dam, and also runs through the Grand Canyon.

2022 Drought

In August 2022, for the first time a "Tier 2" shortage was declared for the first time. As a result releases from the "Glen Canyon and Hoover Dams, which created Lakes Powell and Mead, will be reduced again in 2023 due to declining reservoir levels."

Water flow

The water flow of the Colorado River can be 800 million gallons per hour. Roughly 40 million people, including 90% of the water needs of Las Vegas (which also gets its other 10% from groundwater), depend on the Colorado River.

Water allocation

Nevada is allowed to consume 300,000 acre-feet of water per year. As one acre-foot is 325,851 gallons, this totals about 100 billion gallons of water annually.

Cannabis

Merely one cannabis plant consumes nearly 1000 gallons of water annually.

Old name

The Colorado River used to be called the "Grand River," until 1921, when it got its current name. Because it flowed through the Grand Canyon, it also gave the name "Grand" to several other towns, including Grand Junction and Grand County, Colorado.

External links

• http://www.doi.gov/issues/colorado.html
• http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/jamesmrobbcoloradoriver
• http://www.udel.edu/inst/problems/colorado/