Colorado River Basin Farmers Confront Water Shortages After Dry Winter

Why it matters locally: While Oregon is not directly within the Colorado River Basin, prolonged drought conditions in the Western United States can indirectly affect food supply chains and agricultural commodity prices that impact Oregonian consumers.

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Farmers in Colorado face heightened concerns over water availability following a significantly dry winter season in the western United States. A lack of snowpack, which typically supplies the Colorado River, has exacerbated an existing drought. The drought affects tens of millions of people across seven U.S. states and Mexico. Scientists attribute the increasing intensity of the drought to climate change. Miles O'Brien, a science correspondent, reported on the situation as part of a series examining environmental tipping points.