Western drought could worsen, study finds

[RedEarth]

WASHINGTON - The U.S. West, already suffering from a long drought, could be in for worse if past patterns hold up, experts said in the latest issue of the journal Science.


A study of tree rings showed that a 400-year-long drought dating back 1,000 years ago occurred during a time when the planet was warmer than usual -- like today.

If the pattern holds up, it could mean a cruel drought, the researchers wrote.

“Using gridded drought reconstructions that cover most of the western United States over the past 1,200 years, we show that this drought pales in comparison to an earlier period of elevated aridity and epic drought in AD 900-1300, an interval broadly consistent with the ’Medieval Warm Period’,” the researchers, led by Edward Cook of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in New York, wrote.

“If elevated aridity in the western United States is a natural response to climate warming, then any trend toward warmer temperatures in the future could lead to a serious long-term increase in aridity over western North America,” they added.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6207423/

[BigBigBear]

1. *shudder

I hope not. Last two years have been better in Colorado - 2002 was probably the worst, between dry weather and already-depleted reservoirs. Karin and I ran Desolation Canyon on the Green River (eastern Utah) that summer at 675cfs - lowest level in 73 years. It was very ugly.

Since then, we've had reduced fire danger, better precip and very slowly recovering water tables. I don't think anyone here is saying the drought is 'over', but it seems we're not losing ground anymore. The high peaks along the Front Range all have snow on them now. Not much, but a good sign this early into the snow season.

[leftofthedial]

2. Colorado already reminds me of New Mexico 40 years ago

And things are changing faster now

[midnight armadillo]

3. Great! Time to build more LAWNS in Vegas!

I suspect the time is arriving when Americans will have to start acknowledging that building golf courses and pools in the desert is not the brightest of moves.

[Boomer]

6. Don't forget the swimming pools and...

... golf courses either.

[Carla in Ca]

4. Some of us here had a discussion yesterday

regarding the Hetch Hetchy Dam. Many are upset with Diane Feinstein for wanting to preserve it as it is a source of fresh water for Northern Ca. This story regarding drought should sway some to take another look at her opinion.
Her fights have included a purchase of beloved redwoods, purchased from Pacific Lumber and legislation to insure Southern Ca. has the water it needs.
The bottom line is mother nature herself. She has the final say.

[sam sarrha]

5. what % of our food comes from California..??