Yet another reason to be grateful for the aquifer the Johnson’s found under Sheep Creek. Also, a reason for us to be ultra-careful protecting that resource for the future…
Water crisis in West has prompted desperate ideas: Drain the Great Lakes, desalinate ocean water
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/03/04/whats-solution-wests-water-crisis-desperate-ideas-explained/11274700002/
As western water woes continue, some experts and authorities say a national-level problem like this requires an innovative solution.
The U.S. has plenty of drinking water — it’s simply in the wrong place. That’s a seemingly fixable problem that has inspired a number of creative ideas. Unfortunately, everything except conserving water has proven to be a longshot proposal riddled with logistical, legal or cost problems.
- The problem: The Colorado River is drying up from drought and overuse. It’s the literal lifeblood of the West.
- A rainy year doesn’t solve the water crisis: Rain and snow, particularly in California, has offered temporary relief to water worries. But experts say the water demand in the west is set to keep exceeding supply — unless major conservation efforts successfully roll out.
- Demand remains high: Native American tribes increasingly demanding their legal rights to water, fast-growing Phoenix and Las Vegas are consuming more water to support development and California and Arizona farmers are under increasing pressure to keep food costs low and production high.
Meanwhile, massive amounts of fresh water are readily available to the East. Ocean water can be processed into drinking water. And even glaciers could be helpful sources of fresh water.
More at link…