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Abstract
Flowing 1,450 miles through seven states and 30 Tribal Nations, the Colorado River is known as the lifeline of the Southwest. The river delivers water to 40 million people, irrigates approximately five million acres of farmland, supports a trillion-dollar economy, and supplies hydroelectric power to millions. Its drainage basin stretches across 250,000 square miles of diverse ecosystems, providing habitat for thousands of plant and wildlife species. However, increasing temperatures have altered the amount and timing of annual snowmelt and streamflow, exacerbating drought conditions and diminishing reservoir storage levels. Over time, less water becomes readily available for the communities, ecosystems, and economies that rely on the river’s consistent flow.
Suggested Citation
Brown, S.O., 2026, Colorado River basin, 2 p.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Federal Government Series |
| Title | Colorado River basin |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center |
| Contributing office(s) | Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center |
| Description | 2 p. |
| Country | Mexico, United States |
| State | Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming |
| Other Geospatial | Colorado River basin |