An intense drought has gripped the American West since before the turn of the millennium. As the area's population booms, its snowpacks are thinning, its rivers are running low and its reservoirs are shrinking. But is the drought a temporary condition or a new and disconcerting normal? Tuesday we're talking about the challenges facing the West as water becomes increasingly scarce. We'll focus on the region's most important water resource, the Colorado River, and how its vital bounty is shared among millions of people.
Guests:
- Brian Maffly covers public lands for The Salt Lake Tribune. His recent articles include Low Colorado River may force historic action for Lake Powell and Feds announce cuts to releases from Lake Powell
- Dan McCool directs the University of Utah's Environmental and Sustainability Studies program. His books include River Republic: The Fall and Rise of America's Rivers [Amazon/Indiebound]