Groundwater discharge to upper Colorado River Basin varies in response to drought
This article highlights a study of the Colorado River and its tributaries that provide water to some 40 million people located over 7 states, provides irrigation, as well as hydroelectricity, with a closer look at the effects that climate and water demands have on droughts throughout the region. The study concludes that roughly half of the springs of the Upper Colorado River Basin are fueled by young groundwater which suggests that these are being replenished by shallow aquifers. Why this is problematic is that shallow aquifers are much more prone to droughts when compared to more substantial deeper aquifers.