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Newsweek
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Map Reveals States Experiencing Drought Conditions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A live map from highlighted which parts of the United States were experiencing the most pronounced drought conditions as of Friday. Why It Matters Drought can have serious implications for water supply. In 2022, Lake Mead—the largest reservoir in the U.S. by capacity—fell to critically low levels following years of drought. What To Know According to a map of drought conditions from the areas experiencing the most intense drought conditions as of Friday morning included parts of Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and Montana. In Arizona and Nevada, this included the area just south of Lake Mead. Drought conditions were most widespread in the western U.S., although pockets of mild to severe drought intensity were scattered throughout the rest of the country, map showed. According to the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions continued to ease across the Great Plains due to heavy rainfall. However, long-term drought persists in south-central Texas. Improvements were seen in parts of New Mexico, southwestern Colorado, and Arizona, while drought worsened in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Intermountain West. Most of the Corn Belt and Midwest remain drought-free, except for northern Illinois where conditions worsened, the agency said. Central to southwestern Florida saw drought end after heavy storms. The East, Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, and Lower Mississippi Valley are mostly drought-free, U.S. Drought Monitor said. Jay Lund, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Davis, told Newsweek that climate change is making droughts in the U.S. harder in several ways. Higher temperatures increase evaporation from land and plants, reducing how much water reaches streams, reservoirs, and groundwater. Warmer temperatures cause snow to melt earlier or fall as rain, shifting streamflow to winter when it's less useful and harder to manage, Lund said. "There is some thought that more precipitation is happening in few storm events, which makes it hard to capture runoff from these events for use in drier times," he added. What People Are Saying Jay Lund, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, Davis, told Newsweek: "Perhaps the biggest aspect of these climate changes for the west is that they have exacerbated long-standing groundwater overdraft and overdraft of the huge Colorado River reservoirs, making these problems worsen at a broadly unacceptable rate. This is accelerating management discussions and changes that would have been even more strongly resisted otherwise." He continued: "The biggest vulnerabilities are to ecosystems and agriculture. Ecosystems are already on the ropes, and now must contend with higher temperatures, the new invasive species these bring, and worsening droughts. Agriculture, as the major water use in the West with low economic values for water will likely have to give up 10-20 percent of its least valuable irrigated acreage, which will harm many rural areas. Urban areas need relatively little water and have resources and expertise to manage—it will be more expensive, but manageably so if well led, except for some marginal communities." What Happens Next? The U.S. Drought monitor issues weekly updates regarding drought conditions in the U.S.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
New Research Shows Billions in Economic Risk from Continued State Inaction on Water Supply
Findings reinforce urgent need for SB 72 to ensure long-term water security for California SACRAMENTO, CA, May 14, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- A new economic analysis by Jay Lund (UC Davis), Josué Medellín-Azuara (UC Merced), and Alvar Escriva-Bou (UC Davis) shows the high cost of inaction on California's perpetual water supply challenges, estimating that the state could lose enough water annually to supply up to 9 million households—with economic losses totaling between $3.4 billion and $14.5 billion per year, depending on the severity of the scenario. The study, Inaction's Economic Cost for California's Water Supply Challenges, builds on prior research showing that California's total water supply is on track to shrink by 12–25% by 2050, a loss of up to 9 million acre-feet per year, equivalent to one or two Lake Shastas. The new report emphasizes that without coordinated state action, these reductions could result in the fallowing of up to 3 million acres of farmland, the loss of 67,000 jobs, and lasting damage to California's agricultural and rural communities. The research underscores the urgency of Senate Bill 72, authored by Senator Anna Caballero, which would create the first-ever statewide water supply target and direct California to develop 9 million acre-feet of new water supply by 2040. The bill aims to bring federal, state, regional, and local partners together to better plan, invest, and build toward a more secure, reliable, and sustainable water future. The study identifies four primary factors contributing to California's anticipated water supply decline: 'We've done the math—and the costs of inaction are high economically and environmentally,' said Dr. Jay Lund, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Davis. 'California urgently needs a long-term, statewide strategy to prepare for growing water challenges ahead.' While conservation efforts remain vital, the research indicates they alone are insufficient to address the projected water deficit. New investments in stormwater capture, water recycling, desalination, and storage and conveyance infrastructure are also essential. 'California's water system was designed for a climate that no longer exists,' said Senator Caballero. 'SB 72 provides a roadmap to adapt our water strategies and tactics to meet the demands of our changing environment, expanding economy, and growing population.' 'From the local perspective, a statewide strategy to improve California's water resilience that includes long-term planning and investment will not succeed without measurable outcomes and timelines,' said Paul Cook, General Manager of Irvine Ranch Water District. 'SB 72 represents a critical step toward aligning regional efforts with a broader, coordinated vision—ensuring that communities across California are better equipped to address ongoing and future water supply challenges.' Last year, Senator Caballero authored a similar bill that enjoyed unanimous support from the Legislature in both houses but was vetoed by Governor Newsom due to budget concerns and a budget deficit. SB 72 includes many of the same provisions and with a better budget year projected and increased pressure from climate driven wildfires, the coalition is optimistic that the bill can generate unanimous legislative support again and get a signature from Governor Newsom. Co-sponsors of SB 72 include the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA), the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), and the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB). To read the newest research, Inaction's Economic Cost for California's Water Supply Challenges, click here. To learn more about SB 72, visit the state's Legislative Bill Information portal. About CA Water For All CA Water For All is a statewide effort seeking to educate policymakers on the urgent need for a legislative solution to address California's ongoing water supply challenges. The effort is focused on bringing together the water community, policymakers, and stakeholders to collaborate on ensuring Californians have a sustainable and reliable water supply for all beneficial uses now and for future generations. To learn more or become a supporter, visit Media Contact Jenny Dudikoff [email protected] ### SOURCE: CA Water For All Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
