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Rockies Ranchers Haul Water as Record Snowpack Drought Dries Creeks
Ranchers are shrinking herds, drilling wells and seeking reimbursements as climate change intensifies water hauling costs across the drought-stricken Rockies.
- Ranchers across the Rockies are hauling water daily as record-low snowpack dries up creeks and springs that historically sustained livestock throughout summer.
- Human-Caused climate change made the snow drought in the Upper Colorado River Basin 14 times more likely, a new study confirms, limiting natural water tables.
- To adapt, Jeff Christensen is drilling two 500-foot deep wells in central Utah, while the Brays expanded their water truck fleet; Christensen noted costs are "dang close to 20 grand a well."
- Stanford Salazar has spent five years hauling water to his ponds, while Zandon Bray said, "I'm gonna fight like hell this year so I can turn around and fight like hell next year."
- Recovery remains distant, experts warn, as multiple years of lesser droughts can compound, with water commissioner Mark Ragsdale stating it will take 10 years of above-normal precipitation to return to normal.
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22 Articles
22 Articles
Water hauling in drought is the new chore no Rockies rancher asked for
Water hauling in drought is the new chore no Rockies rancher asked for Hauling water across the high country's rugged landscapes is a daily chore no Rockies rancher asked for. Historically, snowmelt would refill stock ponds and creeks. Now the worst snowpack on record, made worse by climate change, means many must haul water. (AP video by Brittany Peterson). Subscribe: http://smarturl.it/AssociatedPress Read more: https://apnews.com This video m…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources22
Leaning Left7Leaning Right0Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution65% Center
Bias Distribution
- 65% of the sources are Center
65% Center
L 35%
C 65%
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