P.S. to "Aridity and the West"

Speaking of aridity, drought, and over-use of water in the West …

Just after I sent out yesterday’s blog, my partner passed on this article about the Colorado River, which has achieved an ignoble position atop the 2013 endangered waterways list. “Drought and demand are pushing the Colorado River beyond its limits,” the article tells us, “with the needs of more than 40 million people in seven Western states projected to outstrip dwindling supply over the next 50 years.” Not to mention the needs of the plants and non-human animals. 

And that reminded me of New York Times article I read earlier in the week about the Colorado. This one speaks especially to the total depletion of the river before it reaches the ocean. The article focuses on projects to restore life in the parched delta—a discussion that’s enlivened by a great embedded video.

The Colorado is just one huge, fragile river, of course. But its fate is absolutely tied up with those of the people, the creatures, and the plants that make their home in the Southwest. Absolutely tied up with the issues I mentioned yesterday—our collective denial that we are living in a semi-arid land, expecting it to provide us with the comforts and amenities of a lush, moist climate. Whimpering at the inconveniences caused by snow, so easily forgetting that it’s all that stands between us and drought.

So that’s why those of us who love the West are actually, deep down, loving this snow. We need the moisture. 

Besides, how can you not feel your breath catch at the sight of this morning, with yesterday's snow brilliant white against the blue, blue Colorado sky.