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US projections on drought-hit Colorado River grow more dire

Colorado River Drought
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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The U.S. government has released projections that indicate an even more troubling outlook for a river that serves 40 million people in the American West.

The grim outlook Wednesday from the Bureau of Reclamation comes after it recently declared the first-ever shortage on the Colorado River.

That means Arizona, Nevada and Mexico get less water than normal next year.

By 2025, the agency says there's a 66% chance Lake Mead, a key reservoir for river water, will fall to a level where California's supply also will be reduced.

The projections also say hydropower could be affected as early as next July at Glen Canyon Dam, which holds back Lake Powell, another key reservoir.

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Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Wednesday

02/05/2025

AM Light Rain

56° / 42°

67%

Thursday

02/06/2025

Mostly Cloudy

68° / 53°

15%

Friday

02/07/2025

Mostly Cloudy

61° / 40°

24%

Saturday

02/08/2025

AM Clouds/PM Sun

57° / 39°

7%

Sunday

02/09/2025

Partly Cloudy

58° / 36°

5%

Monday

02/10/2025

Partly Cloudy

58° / 36°

6%

Tuesday

02/11/2025

Mostly Sunny

58° / 39°

4%

Wednesday

02/12/2025

Mostly Cloudy

58° / 43°

24%