A sobering report released by a panel of experts on February 21 states that the Colorado River Basin is more prone to drought than previously thought  and, as population grows, pressure on water resources will increase as well. The severe droughts the region suffered in the 1990s and early 2000s would not stand out in the record of the last few centuries, the panel said, and the future presents “a sobering prospect for elected officials and water managers.” The panel said residents of the region should prepare for more frequent and more severe dry spells, and “costly, controversial and unavoidable trade-offs” in water use.

To view the complete report click here.