Podcast Summary
Encountering the physical impact of climate change at Lake Powell: Personal experience of climate change's impact at Lake Powell sparks renewed debate about its future
The BBC provides valuable information and perspective on global stories, encouraging listeners to think deeply. NPR's Nate Rott shares a personal experience of encountering the physical impact of climate change while reporting on Lake Powell. This second largest reservoir in the US, located at the Utah-Arizona border, was once submerged underwater due to a dam built in the 1960s. However, the ongoing mega-drought in the western US has caused water levels to drop, revealing parts of Glen Canyon that were once lost. This reemergence has sparked a renewed debate about the future of this unique landscape. The encounter serves as a reminder of the significant changes our planet is undergoing and the importance of staying informed.
Lake Powell's Shrinking Size Amidst Drought and Increased Water Usage: The large reservoir Lake Powell in the desert southwest is shrinking due to prolonged drought and rising water usage, depleting groundwater stores and leaving a stark contrast to its former recreational scene.
Lake Powell, one of the largest reservoirs in the country located in the desert southwest, is shrinking due to the ongoing mega drought and increasing water usage. This trend, which started around the turn of the century and has seen only occasional wet years since, is draining groundwater stores and reservoirs like Lake Powell. Once a bustling scene for anglers, boaters, and water recreation enthusiasts, the lake is now shrinking, leaving a stark contrast to its former self. The situation is particularly challenging as the western United States is experiencing one of the driest periods in the last 1000 years. Despite recent above-average snowpack, the overall trend towards drier conditions and increased water usage is draining the region's water resources.
Flooding of Glen Canyon: A Loss of a Natural Wonder: The Glen Canyon Dam, completed in 1966, submerged a unique and pristine portion of the Colorado River, resulting in the loss of a significant natural wonder. While the dam provided water storage and electricity, some view it as a crime against nature, especially in light of the mega drought revealing more of the submerged canyon.
The Glen Canyon Dam, completed in 1966, flooded a once pristine and unique portion of the Colorado River, now known as Glen Canyon. This area, described as an original paradise by novelist Edward Abbey and a home for locals like Ken Slate, was transformed into a reservoir, resulting in the loss of a significant natural wonder. The dam was built with the goals of providing water storage and generating electricity, but some, including Eric Balkan from the Glen Canyon Institute, view it as a crime against nature. The mega drought of the past two decades has further revealed the extent of the submerged canyon, leaving many to reflect on the cost of progress and the importance of preserving natural wonders.
Glen Canyon's Recovery from Submergence: Glen Canyon's recovery from being submerged in Lake Powell is ongoing, with greater vegetation growth and wildlife return as the area stays out of the water. However, a significant rise in water levels could once again submerge the ecosystem, highlighting the importance of water management decisions.
Glen Canyon, which was previously submerged in water, is now recovering as it gradually emerges from the reservoir. The longer the area has been out of the water, the greater the recovery, as evidenced by the growth of vegetation and the return of wildlife. However, if water levels were to rise significantly, this area could once again be submerged, potentially redrowning the recovering ecosystem. This serves as a reminder for water managers to consider the environmental consequences when making decisions about refilling reservoirs like Lake Powell.
New water management strategy prioritizes Lake Mead over Lake Powell: Amidst ongoing drought, a new strategy called 'Fill Mead First' suggests prioritizing Lake Mead to protect ecosystems, potentially letting Lake Powell shrink or dry out.
The ongoing drought in the Colorado River basin is causing significant challenges for water management, particularly regarding the levels of Lake Powell and Lake Mead. Traditionally, excess water has been divided between the two reservoirs. However, a new strategy called "Fill Mead First" is gaining attention, which suggests prioritizing the storage of excess water in Lake Mead to protect recovering ecosystems in Glen Canyon, potentially letting Lake Powell shrink or even dry out. This idea was once considered a long shot due to the significant economic interests tied to Lake Powell, including tourism and electricity generation. However, the drought is already impacting these industries, and the scientific consensus suggests that multiple years of above-average water is unlikely. Instead, some scientists warn of a longer-term aridification trend. Ultimately, this situation highlights the need for adaptability and innovation in the face of changing environmental conditions, as human-built structures and systems are forced to evolve in response.
Exploring unconventional ideas in a rapidly changing world: In a dynamic environment where the pace of change is accelerating, even long-shot ideas are more appealing due to the world's vast differences from the past.
As the world continues to change at an unprecedented rate, there's a growing openness to considering unconventional ideas. Nate Rott's story about Film Meade First Today, a company that aims to film the entire world, illustrates this point. The world is vastly different from what it was, and the pace of change is only accelerating. This context makes even long-shot ideas more appealing than ever before. As Dan Charles puts it, "going with the flow" takes on new meaning in such a dynamic environment. The episode also highlights the importance of visual storytelling, as demonstrated by Claire Harbage's stunning photographs from Lake Powell. It's a reminder of the power of images to convey complex ideas and evoke emotions. This episode of Shortwave from NPR was produced by Burleigh McCoy, edited by Stephanie O'Neil, fact-checked by Katherine Seifer, and engineered by Josephine Neonay. Special thanks to Virginia Lozano for her help and to Nate Rott for sharing his story. For more information and to check out Claire Harbage's photography, visit mpr.org. To learn about food solutions for meetings and company events, visit easycater.com. To listen to The Bid, BlackRock's podcast, and gain insights from their thought leaders, check out thebid.com.
