Parts of U.S. at 'Extreme' Risk of Drying Out

A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council shows that many parts of the Great Plains and the Southwest U.S. are facing severe water shortages in the near future.

1 minute read

July 28, 2010, 6:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


14 states are at either high or extreme risk in terms of water sustainability between now and 2050, according to the report.

"These areas include parts of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. In particular, in the Great Plains and Southwest United States, water sustainability is at extreme risk.

'The more than 400 counties identified as being at greatest risk in the report reflects a 14-times increase from previous estimates,' NRDC said."

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