A drought is a common cycle in the environment that occurs all over the
world. The south-western part of the United States is currently
experiencing a drought. This is not due to a lack of rain but also the
increased usage of the water supply from rivers in the area, namely the Colorado River. Droughts like this lead to several
different environmental and human related issues, such as a lack of power and
water shortages. The Colorado River once flowed from the Rocky Mountains to
the Gulf of California where it created a
large estuary. Due to human interaction, dams, rerouting water, and
irrigation, the river no longer reaches the Gulf of
California. Humans have done many things to exploit the use of
the rivers' water, using its water base to supply water to areas that were
once deserts. This has caused a large depletion of the water in the river
system, causing it to run dry before reaching the gulf. The Colorado River
has helped Las Vegas
and other communities survive, as it is their main source of water and power.
Controlling the Colorado River has made
cities and life thrive in the area; but at what cost?
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