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In our unit, I learned about just how dire the water situation is in the southwest. Our water levels are continuing to get lower and lower and it appears as if we are doing little to nothing about it. I was shocked at just how much our world has changed due to the lower water levels, with entire ecosystems collapsing. Towns are trying to pump water that we simply don't have, accelerating the road to the dead pool for our reservoirs. One of the best solutions we have for our water crisis is grey water. This involves using the 'wastewater' from our showers, sinks, or laundry machines back into things like gardens or farms. These areas account for more than half of our indoor water use, so reusing them would be massive in saving water. Instead of having to use high volumes of water from lakes and reservoirs, we could use the water straight from our homes. There are many aspects of my life I can apply grey water to by saving the water from hand washing and using it towards a garden. Next time I wash my hands or get a drink of water, I will remember just how low the water levels are in our rivers and lakes.

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Summary: The Colorado river delta's ecosystem underwent a significant change due to lowering water levels upstream. This caused many species of animals to go endangered, like the totoaba fish. A lot of the area is lost or has changed so much that it's useless to the surrounding animals:

Analysis: Due to water misuse and drought upstream, the entire balance of the river delta is at risk. One salt-water-based plant was thought to be extinct due to the destruction, but was rediscovered and is now being used in places that lack fresh water. The nursery mechanism of the totoaba fish was cut off when the water started flowing, causing the fish to be at a high risk of extinction as it couldn't repopulate.

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Summary: Lake Mead, which is one of the nation's largest water reservoirs, is rapidly shrinking. This is due to an ongoing drought that started in 2000. Overuse has also played a part in the rapidly increasing population in the nation.

Analysis: One of the main reasons for the drought is climate change. The significant temperature increase is lowering rain and snow rates, so there is less water for the river supplying the reservoirs. Temperatures were 8.8 degrees hotter than normal in Colorado during the summer. Most areas are now starting to create water conservation acts in order to slow or stop the lowering water levels.

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Summary: In the Ak-Chin Indian reserve, there was a water crisis which wouldn't allow the community to progress. In order to help aid the community, a 3.5 billion dollar water pipe project was made, and the government helped build a coal plant near the reservation in order to pump water into the reservation. This turned them from a dirt poor community into a self made farming area

Analysis: The project was very important to the people in the area, and dropped the unemployment rates all the way down to 4%. The water conservationists call the idea stupid, as it's stretching supplies thinner and the plant pollutes the nearby area, forcing some people out. The tribal farm also tripled in size due to the water, and it isn't in need of government welfare.

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Summary: As California's population continues to rapidly increase, droughts are becoming more common, and more severe. Los Angeles is taking big actions in order to conserve water. They enlisted people known as "Drought Busters" in order to enforce the new regulations on water.

Analysis: One of the big social impacts is all of the new laws and regulations put in place by the Los Angeles government. They have laws against things like washing sidewalks, and even having to ask the waiter for water instead of just serving it. The drought busters also have an impact. They wrote 8,862 citations for water misuse. All of this led to L.A decreasing their water use by 10%.

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Summary: The city of Page, Utah is a small, booming area due to the beautiful surrounding scenery. The town is growing rapidly, but because of its desert-like arid conditions, water has to be pumped in order to supply the town's tourist and basic needs. They are trying to build a large pipeline, draining from the already low Lake Powell.

Analysis: The pipeline would end up being a disaster for those who depend on the Colorado River for water. If it's built, people everywhere will have less water and Lake Powell will even run dry. Eventually, there won't even be water for the pipeline and even the town itself will run dry of water.

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Summary: The Navajo reservation in New Mexico is one of the largest in the state. Most native reservations are neglected by the U.S. government for basic needs, like water. The Colorado river shortage is heavily affecting these people, as the government neglect is worsening so they can save water for themselves. Some are starting to take action, like Darlene the water lady, who gives up her time to drive miles to give water to those in need.

Analysis: On this reservation, 40% of people do not have running water. There are many people in every household, meaning they must conserve water. One way they do this is by sharing it, like using the same bucket to wash 2-3 people's hair. Some also use paper dishware so they can avoid washing them. Like Darlene, the water lady, some have to drive over 100 miles for water. Many households must make a small amount of water work for a long time. This water crisis is happening due to the neglect of the government, and the worsening water shortage and drought everywhere.

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Summary: Lake Powell was a super popular tourist destination. The area is surrounded by beautiful red cliff walls and stunning river flow. The river also provides hydroelectric energy to the Glen Canyon Dam, which powers many homes in the area. The water levels have been consistently dropping for years, and it's approaching the dead pool, where its use as a reservoir is out as it can't fuel the dam any longer.

Analysis: Lake Powell is very important to the tourist industry of Page, providing many jobs and a steady flow of income. The loss of the lake would mean losing all of these jobs and income, which would be a catastrophe for the area. The lake also provides electricity and water. If it were to reach the dead pool, it couldn't supply anything and the reservoir would become nearly useless.

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Summary: Palm Springs is one of California's most hot tourist destinations. It's known for its lavish hotels, restaurants, and golf courses. These commodities come at the high price of water. California is already going through a drought, and other areas of the state are putting a large part of the blame on Palm Springs. Their high water use drains the aquifer and the  Colorado River supplies, causing problems for everyone else reliant on the river

Analysis: If the water gets so low that the tourist spots have to shut down, then the entire area's economy will collapse. Palm springs are reliant on their tourism so without it, the town will collapse. Many businesses will shut down also destroying many job opportunities. The heavy water use is also effecting other areas of California, draining agriculture and tourism all across the state.

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Summary: The Salton Sea is a lake in California that has a lot of toxins from nearby agriculture. As the lake has dried up, a toxic dust is moving through the air and causing lots of health problems in the area. This area used to be "paradise" but tourists no longer visit and bring with them their money/buisness. Not many people still live in the area but life is hard for those that do. The solutions that have been proposed are expensive and uncertain.

Analysis: One economic impact is that this area used to rely on tourism, but since the lake dried up, toursits no longer visit and bring money to the area. Agriculture is also important to the area but they can no longer rely on water from the lake which could impact their buisness. People who still live in the area have a lot of medical expenses because of all the toxins; it is also hard for them to make money or find jobs in the area.