Colorado River Crisis Worsens Amid Record Low Reservoir Levels
The Colorado River, a critical water source for seven Western U.S. states, is facing a severe crisis as its two largest reservoirs, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, continue to drop to record low levels. According to a letter published in the Los Angeles Times, the federal government has allocated $65 million to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to preserve 3 feet of water in Lake Mead. However, this measure is seen as a temporary solution, as Lake Mead loses approximately 6 feet of water annually to evaporation. Compounding the issue, data centers in the region are consuming significant amounts of water, with medium-sized facilities using around 100 million gallons per year and larger ones exceeding 1 billion gallons annually. The reliance on 'blue' water sources, such as lakes and aquifers, by these centers is accelerating the crisis. (Source time: 2026-07-24 13:00:00 GMT) 
