What might be the consequences of the disappearing delta on the region’s people and environment?

According to the article, the delta at the mouth of Colorado River has shrunk dramatically in recent decades. In fact, 100 years ago, the delta stretched approximately 3,000 square miles; today, it is 250 square miles. Also, the river no longer reaches the ocean but instead dries up some 50 miles north of the Gulf of California. The only water that exits the river is runoff from farms and the occasional heavy rain. As the delta continues to dry out, the animal and plant life in the region will also diminish greatly. The surrounding ecosystems that depended on the river will fade and disappear.

The people who live in the region will be faced with dire consequences. People who fish, hunt, or vacation in the region will find fewer accessible places to do so. Local farms, towns, and cities will have less water available as a resource. The dwindling Colorado River is a powerful example of what can happen to seemingly endless resources due to unending human needs. As the global population grows, freshwater will only become a more precious and disappearing commodity.

ń, wǒ shuō yīngyǔ, dàn wǒ huì shuō qítā yǔyán, rú xībānyá yǔ fǎyǔ yìdàlì yǔ hé pǔtōnghuà, suǒyǐ bùyào pànduàn, dànshì