Is Arizona Drying Up? ASU Scientists Think So

Living in the middle of one of Earth's most inhospitable deserts, water is an incredibly valuable resource. It's the stuff of life, literally, we couldn't be here without it.

It's in Arizona's best interest to keep our water flowing, but a recent study has shown that we may be much closer to running out of this precious resource than we initially thought.

Losing Groundwater at an Astounding Pace

A recent study, conducted by Arizona State University, has shown that our water situation is dire. Over the past two decades, the Lower Colorado River Basin, which is responsible for a large amount of Arizona's groundwater, has lost more water than is contained in Nevada's Lake Mead.

This is, obviously, incredibly concerning. Add on the fact that this groundwater doesn't replenish itself, and it shows a bleak future for civilization in the Grand Canyon State. But where is all this water going?

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Is the San Pedro River Disappearing?

The Cost of Civilization

The answer to where the water has been going is a very simple one: it's us. Humans need water to survive, and as populations grow, we take more and more of it. The study suggests the disappearance is a combination of drought, a rise in agriculture, and urban growth.

Obviously, we need this water, but we shouldn't be using it at such extreme quantities. The state of Arizona is currently working on plans to cut back on unnecessary water usage while continuing to hydrate Arizona. Groundwater is our last line of defense against major drought, and without it, we're dead in the water.

[Advancing Earth and Space Sciences][ABC15]