measures by the colorado river is often called the hardest working river in the west. that is because it does so much for so many. the fact we are meeting to hear testimony from more than 15 witnesses covering two separate days really speaks to this very fact for this colorado river supplies to communities across seven western states serves morning 40 million people from colorado to california. and along the way this river and its tributaries flow through six national parks and monuments. also supports a multitude of fish and wildlife nearly 6 million acres of irrigated agriculture. $1.4trillion in economic activity every single gear. unfortunately, unprecedented drought conditions are creating enormous challenges for this important river and those who depend on it. in august made the first ever shortage declaration and the lower colorado river basin. then of course due to severe drought and low reservoir conditions, which had triggered reduced water releases from lake mead. these are actions that were recently taken in the upper basin as well to slow declining water l

in the 1922 colorado river compact, the seven colorado river basin states agreed to share the colorado river with each basin, the exclusive beneficial end use of the water per year. since 2000, the colorado river basin has entered a period of continued drought. the upper states have been taking shortages for the past two decades. in new mexico, large droughts occur annually in the basin. the major diversion project authorized by congress in 1962 to deliver san juan water to new mexico's municipalities and pablo's around the rio grande, particularly in the last decade, and is an example in 2021, we experienced a shortage of 40%. what key components of the upper basin plan, as the drought operation response agreement, they fell below the critical elevation unless the six months -- in less than six months. the upper division states started releasing 180,000 feet a year to help boost the elevation of lake powell. the upper division states are currently working on a plan framework that will fully address the state's key issues and concerns prior to any future drill operations. one of the or

nowhere is it more than the colorado river basin. further straining the river system that is reaching a breaking point. the upper basin contingency plan includes the commitment by the division state for the feasibility of a temporary voluntary compensated management program. in addition the drought response agreement is also being actively implemented in this agreement governs the release of storage water with operational adjustments considered at lake powell. releases from these upper reservoirs are underway as we speak as has been mentioned. also the upper basin has routinely taken shortages measured by the significant reductions in water that is available for use by the system. like others we face challenges in supplying water to a state with explosive growth. overcoming these challenges is a tall order we must tackle with the inclusion of all colorado river stakeholders. utah is committed to the development and use for the measurement of divergent use. one particularly important platform is open et. the continued congressional sup

through the front doors of the colorado river basin the colorado river has lost 20 percent of the flowst 20 years and scientist are forecasting another 9 percent loss we need to act quickly to avoid a catastrophic water supply and also long-term solutions because of temperatures continuing to increase with the colorado river supply will keep shrinking. there is so much at stake the colorado river drinking water for 49 million it is the lifeblood and the silent underpinning the 1 trillion-dollar economy pretty much anywhere in this country your letters is grown here and including recreation businesses it is the lifeblood habitat that support fish and other wildlife people value the colorado river in so many ways not at least when it rameans to us culturally and spiritually to stand on the rivers edge and you really are reminded when it means to be grateful and passing the infrastructure and jobs act you set the stage for important investment to address the impact of drought and climate change but more is needed i will discuss in my written testimony. emergency drought relief funding is

people value the colorado river in so many ways. not least for what it means to us culturally. and on rivers edge and you really are reminded what it means to be grateful. in -- you set the stage for important investment to address the impact of drought and climate change but more is needed. i will refer you to my written testimony. emergency drought really funding is needed to respond to historic drought conditions affecting tens of millions of americans. federal investment in usgs monitoring and science including -- is needed so we have data allowing us to understand these changes. reclamation national programs need additional funding. this program is conserving water in lake mead and downstream. investments could help mitigate the environmental and public health crises. funds are also needed to support the river tribe especially for households lacking indoor plumbing that suffer greatly from covid-19. tribes need to be able to benefit from their water rights and to reduce the uncertainty that unsettled -- imposes on all colorado river water users. i want to address colorado r

august of the department of the interior announced its first ever drought restrictions on the colorado river. it affects 40 million americans in seven states. arizona, california, nevada, colorado, utah and new mexico and wyoming we stand to lose 18% of the water allocation. fortunately arizona is prepared for these cutbacks. we are implementing measures that keep more water in the colorado river system and improve water efficiency in our farming. we plan to save enough water so that most will not be impacted but we are not out of the woods. last month the interior department produced a new forecast showing water levels in lake mead could soon decline lower the world's largest public infrastructure project when it was built in the great depression currently the capacity is 35%. it's the lowest level since the lake was first filled. it's sister reservoir is the second largest man-made lake in the united states and its 35% capacity but at 30% capacity. lake mead and lake powell are the poster children for the western drought it's where one submerged. we have that here as you can see. about 129

in august, the department of the interior announced its first ever drought restrictions on the colorado river. it affects 40 million americans in seven states. arizona, california, nevada, colorado, utah, new mexico, and wyoming. arizona gets hit the hardest. we stand to lose 18% of our annual colorado river water allocation, beginning next year. that is in a few months. unfortunately, arizona is prepared for these initial cutbacks. we are implementing mitigation measures to keep more water in the colorado river system and improve water efficiency in our farming. we plan to save and -- enough water so most arizonans will not be impacted. we are not out of the woods, here. last month, the interior department said lower -- levels in lake mead could trigger a second route of drought restrictions. lake mead is the nation's largest land -- man-made lake or reservoir. it stores colorado river water behind the hoover dam, the world's largest infrastructure project, built during the great depression. currently, lake mead's capacity is 35%. it is the lowest level since the lake was first built. it's s

seven states and 30 native american tribes lie in the colorado river basin. ly, the river has been running dry due to the historically severe drought. the majestic, meandering colorado river, that cut through these red cliffs, carving the grand canyon, is a wonder of nature and human ingenuity. the glen canyon dam created lake powell and, 300 miles down-river, lake mead sits behind the hoover dam. these reservoirs are now being sucked dry by 40 million different straws-- that's the number of people in booming western states who depend on the colorado to quench their thirst, power their homes, water lawns and splash in the sun. its waters irrigate farms that produce 90% of the country's winter greens. to all these demands, add the stress of a 22-year drought, as dry as any period in 1,200 years, and you have a river in crisis. these white bathtub rings; is-- is this where the water used to be? >> brad udall: absolutely. >> whitaker: brad udall, a climate scientist at colorado state university, went out on lake powell with us. so all of this would have been unde

hello reports the colorado river delta in the baja, california desert. for decades waterless has been its defining characteristic until a groundbreaking agreement between the us and mexico was signed in 2012, allowing water to flow in parts back into the delta seats is important. them is not a lot as well. not only got, it's important to mention that this acord is unique in the world in which 2 countries the united states and mexico decide to trans for volumes of water from one country to the other, exclusively for the benefit of the environment. i'm in the buyer in the results of what happened when water was returned to the region. speak for themselves. it when gabriella gonzales, a scientists with the sonata institute says, since conservation efforts began, hundreds of acres of forest and wetlands have been restored. it's a long. 1 process, and that for the last 10 years we have am registered at change from 50 brad species and the belt that in 10 years after we have more than 360 berth species along the river from the river, all the way to the estuary

water is being diverted to resort wetlands and forest along the colorado river delta.orado river delta in the baja california desert, for decades waterless as been it's defining characteristic until a groundbreaking agreement between the united states and mexico was sound -- signed allowing water to flow back into the delta. >> it is important to mention this is unique in the world, in which 2 countries decide to transfer volumes of water from one country to the other exclusively for the benefit of the environment. reporter: the results are what happened when water was returned to the region speak for themselves. a scientist says since conservation efforts begin hundreds of acres of forest and wetlands have been restored. >> is a long process. for the last 10 years we have registered and changed from 50 bird species in the delta and 10 years after we have more than 300 and 60 bird species from the river all the way to the estuary . we have registered more than 162 bird species. reporter: there is footage suggesting wildcats are thriving, along with other endangered's b

the colorado river used to be the lifeblood of this community.climate change, there's less water to go around. and most of the rest is used upstream for agriculture. antonia's mother blames the us using more than its fair share. but the us says its meeting its water commitments to mexico. with climate change, the whole region is becoming drier and hotter. in the nearby city, police are responding to yet another heat—related emergency. authorities say it's mainly vulnerable people such as the homeless who are affected. medics told us that the sun gets so hot that their internal organs begin to cook. a total of 422 people in the state suffered heat—related illnesses over the summer. in one city, mexicali, 27 of these people died. meanwhile, the impossible has happened upstream. after a long campaign, the us has released 43 million cubic metres of water to fill the river this summer. it's a sight that she never thought she would see. for her, it came just in time. one month later, she died after a long illness. the river will dry up again soon if it

at the heart of it is the colorado river, the colorado water basin. it serves 40 million people.y rely on it in seven states and it's drying up fast. at that hearing, jennifer pitt spoke about climate change and its impact on the colorado river. take a listen. climate change has come barging through the front doors of the colorado river basin. the colorado river has lost 20% of its historic flows in the past 20 years and scientists are forecasting another t 9% loss with every degree of warming. we need to act quickly to avoid a catastrophic water supply crisis and we also need long-term solutions because of temperatures continuing to increase the colorado river water supply will keep shrinking. there's so much at stake. the colorado river provides drinking water to 40 million people, it's the lifeblood for 30 federally recognized tribes. it's the silent utility underpinning a trillion dollar company. if you eelt a salad, pretty much your lettuce is served with it. these rivers are the region's lifeblood. habitats that support birds, fish, other wilede life. people value the color

at the heart of it is the colorado river, the colorado water basin. it serves 40 million people.rely on it in seven states and it's drying up fast. at that hearing, jennifer pitt spoke about climate change and its impact on the colorado river. take a listen. climate change has come barging through the front doors of the colorado river basin. the colorado river has lost 20% of its historic flows in the past 20 years and scientists are forecasting another t 9% loss with every degree of warming. we need to act quickly to avoid a catastrophic water supply crisis and we also need long-term solutions because of temperatures continuing to increase the colorado river water supply will keep shrinking. there's so much at stake. the colorado river provides drinking water to 40 million people, it's the lifeblood for 30 federally recognized tribes. it's the silent utility underpinning a trillion dollar company. if you eelt a salad, pretty much your lettuce is served with it. these rivers are the region's lifeblood. habitats that support birds, fish, other wilede life. people value the colorad

so, darrell, i mean, one, when you look at the colorado river drying up, and the fact that so many native is the solution here? you know, we hear -- and i have to say, native american community has always been out front on this. water is life. it's something i say that i got from indigenous peoples making this point during standing rock. so what is your solution here, and what are the thoughts of the indigenous community watching this planet dry up, essentially? >> yeah. tiffany, i think, you know, it is something that we've been trying to build over the last ten years, in terms of just a relatedness and understanding of the indigenous people and the colorado river basin just in general. there's 30 tribal sovereigns in the basin, distinct tribal sovereigns. we spent the last ten years building a recognition of the indigenous people in the basin themselves, so that we could get to a place. you have to remember that tribes are getting involved on almost over 100 years of existing policy that was set exclusively and didn't apply to us but now excludes us in terms of participation. so we unde

corp. 2021] >> coming up live, a house natural resources subcommittee hears from officials on colorado river job conditions. live coverage of the hearing at 2:00 p.m. eastern here on c-span, online at c-span.org, or c-span now. a very good friday morning to you. you can start calling in with your suggestions for the supreme court. some information on this presidential commission on the supreme court -- that is the group meeting at 10:00 a.m.. it was established in april by executive order by incident biden -- by president biden. it is a bipartisan group of commissioners. the final report is due in november. the discussion draft was released last night. it includes a variety of proposals like term limits and adding members to the supreme court. on the issue of adding more justices, " we conclude congress has broad power to structure the supreme court by expanding or contracting a number of justices. the question is more difficult and commissioners are divided on whether court expansion would be wise. court expansion today could lead to a continuous cycle of future expansions. that draft repor

host: the drought and flow of the colorado rivers, facing big challenges out there for farmers and citizens alike. then this is the st. paul pioneer press. police force on kids is being examined in that state. this is from louisiana, the news star, the front page story for them is the budget boom that they are seeing in their state. it will continue for another year. and finally, in the iowa, city press citizen, has a story about covid and kids and how hospitals are filling up as a deadly winter is feared. those are just some of the public policy issues around the country. we want to know from you this morning. what is the most important public policy issue where you live? going back to what is happening here in washington in the negotiations within the democratic party over the social spending bill, "politico'd" headline this morning is that president biden hosted senator manchin in delaware at his home there at a critical juncture, is what they say. from there report their reporting they found the president huddled with the west virginia moderate in delaware where biden is spending the we

recycling there are several water compacts that dictate how different reservoirs are used with the colorado rivered one of those contracts they drain several reservoirs in the state to ensure water was flowing to users in nevada and elsewhere. host: with the text messaging service we use when a national park or monument is set up do they also protect the aquifer in that area quick. >> that's a great question and that will vary from state to state. for example states like here in colorado we have split right somebody made onas the land but not the water right. things are different in states like arizona if you only and you can drill a well yourself. host: with the supreme court getting ready to come in for oral arguments we have to ended there. a staffer covering public land find your on twitter we appreciate your time. >> thank you >> opportunity zones 8674 tax havens across the country and gave wealthy people incentives to put the money in the poor community and exchange for capital gains tax break. unfortunately we don't know how much money has gone into them as a result of the arcane senate pr

reservoir and is rapidly draining because of the drought, which is linked to climate change the colorado river reservoir is also seen a significant water shortage. the vice president pushed for investments to combat climate change, which are part of the build back better agenda and the bipartisan infrastructure deal that the biden administration hopes to get past california. meantime, is reporting its driest year in more than a century every year. the western regional climate center measures, water levels between october 1st through the end of september. this year. experts say the state total just under 12 inches of rain and snow. and that is below nearly half the average which is usually around 23.5 inches the last time numbers were this low was in 1924 climate. researchers say dry conditions mixed with extreme heat are causing the state water supplies to dry up right now. 87 1% of california is under extreme drought conditions nearly half the state is in the worst category. california also reported is hottest summer on record. >> but we've been saying a little rain with a lot more coming. as

later a house natural resources subcommittee looks at dropped conditions affecting the colorado river --

for now, the continued health of this natural environment. manuel did up a low al jazeera, the colorado river delta o. this is al jazeera, these, the top stories, australia will begin lifting its strict photo restrictions from november. will allow fully vaccinated citizens and residents who have been stranded overseas to return home. i know salience will be able to travel abroad again. sarah clark has moved from the gold coast under the, the national plan announced by australia climate to scott morrison. the requirements of the states must reach the 80 percent vaccine targets under the plan . so the 2 requirement staff, a quarantine of those to be a strain citizens and permanent residence. those have been fleet back nice with the vaccine recognized by the australian government. i think a 7 day home quarantine, those you haven't been back cited or have been vaccinate vaccine, that's not recognized by the triangle, but they will still have to do a 14 day hotel warranty. you know, it's a nation's actually general. antonia gutierrez says he sholtes by ethiopia is decision to expel 7 un officials.

i see reservoirs that are down 60 or 80 feet and concerned about the colorado river if we can keep things it is real. this is serious stuff. it will not ease up on its own we have to invest in our resilience when i say build back better we are the only country in the world historically that has gone through a crisis and has come out the other and better than before the crisis hit. that is who we are as americans. not a joke if you teach history. think about it. we came out better than was before because we don't give up. we invest. we trust our instincts. that is what i'm talking about. and then if you have a catastrophe in the road is washed out you cannot build it back to the same standard. we've got to build it back higher. not a joke because the weather has already change. if we don't do something before we reach 125 degrees celsius we are in trouble. looked, we haven't passed a major infrastructure bill in decades in this country. the last four years every month you hear infrastructure but didn't do a single damn thing. nothing. i mean nothing for four years. we cannot afford to sit

you're worried about what the colorado rivers going to do. this is a big deal. this is gigantic. we are not going to ease up. we have to invest in resilience. you saw texas, their entire power grid went down. because they had no resilience. the ability to build back and building stronger. why are the fires in the west, because safer to have the wires underground not be knocked down by high winds and tornadoes and the like causing fires. we haven't passed a major infrastructure bill for decades. it used to be a normal thing to do. that used to be a bipartisan thing to do. if we get this done, we will breathe new life into our economy and we will brief cleaner air. economists agree. early this year, wall street not something tank, wall street projected that the investments in these bills could help our economy create an additional 2 million jobs per year every year. that's going to be transformative. the jobs in my plan are people who felt left behind. 90% of the jobs in this bill don't require a four-year college degree. we need to get this done. it's not enough to invest in physi

government declaring shortages on the colorado river.oville hydroelectric dam, actually, is no longer operating, because there simply isn't enough water within the reservoir to properly run this. so it's never happened since the completion of the building of that project set in the 306s. we have the fingerprints of climate change written all over this. quite a pattern has unfolded with these natural disasters over the summer. kim? >> it makes depressing listening, i'll tell you. derek van dam, thanks so much. >>> and i'm kim brunhuber. i'll be back in just a moment as "cnn newsroom" continues. please do stay with us. if laundry stinks, it could be bacteria. detergent alone doesn't kill all odor causing bacteria. adding lysol laundry sanitizer kills 99.9 %. lysol, what is takes to protect. liz, you nerd, cough if you're in here! shh! i took mucinex dm for my phlegmy cough. what about rob's dry cough? works on that too, and lasts 12 hours. 12 hours?! who studies that long? mucinex dm relieves wet and dry coughs. start your day with crest 3

. >> for the first time ever the federal government has declared a water shortage on the colorado river. that has triggered mandatory water consumption cuts across the southwest. >> utah's great salt lake is drying up at historic rates as more than 90% of the state is crippled by extreme drought. utah governor spencer cox has declared a state of emergency. and called on people in utah to reduce their water use and pray for rain. >> we need some divine intervention. >> trevor: okay, i know he's desperate but it's not very reassuring when the people in charge are like this is a tough one, i will kick this up to god. but if a politician has to ask for divine intervention at least a mega drought is a good reason. i don't want to hear joe biden go heavenly father we pray for your divine hand to raise that debt ceiling and rid the land of all malarkey. come on man, just do it, man, come on. but you heard what they said. this drought had been going on for 22 years, and counting. and at some point it is not even fair to call that a drought any more. just live in the desert now. you may want to

we've got water shortage. >> and we have some reduced supply from the colorado river.going to take several years of higher than average rainfall to return. california's water table back to normal. so we've got a lot of work to do. the sky has a lot of work to do for us. in the meantime, we better make sure that we conserve our water. right. don't let those water running when you're brushing your teeth or you're shaving because water you know, i remember when i moved to texas and i was hanging out with a friend. i'm brushing my teeth and i turned the water off and she was like, why do you turn the water off in the middle of pressure to towns like water conservation, guys. apparently definitely california thing to to have to that. what i think is the poor people think because my mom made sure we turned off the way important heard router know i'm from seattle. so water was not a problem. and even then she. yeah, dave says that we have a very, very slight chance of some moisture coming later this week. up. >> yeah, i'm not going to do anything with the drought that we want

of bakersfield and forecasters say that wildfires water shortages and reduced supply from the colorado river are contributing to those drought conditions. experts say it will take several years of higher than average rainfall to get california's water table back to normal levels. >> let's talk about our weather forecast right now we take a live look outside at our camera on top of a suture tower. we can see the golden gate bridge here. that fog was really rolling in as the afternoon approach. but a warm day all around across the bay area. i for one, not complaining about the warm weather at all. kron 4 meteorologist mabrisa rodriguez here tonight with a look at. >> what else is on the way for sunday. i know the good news is tracking rain in the extended 7 day. the more i hear about that. the r word is coming. i can't believe that i am so excited. >> judge not drizzle. widespread light showers. that's the showers are better than just like world haha. all right. let's take a look at high temperatures today, though, because we're well above average even for early october standards. downtown san

>> next, state and local officials testify at a house natural resources water subcommittee on colorado river it is two and half hours

worried about whether we'll have -- what the colorado river will do. this is a big deal.not going to ease up on any of this. we have to invest in resilience. resilience. you saw texas. their entire power grid went down. they had no resilience. the ability to build back and build things stronger. why? a lot of the fires in the far west? because guess what? it's a hell of a lot safer to have those wires underground. not being knocked down by high winds and tornadoes and the like causing fires. look, i haven't passed the major infrastructure bill for decades in this country. used to be a normal thing to do. used to be a bipartisan thing to do. if we get this done, we'd breathe new life into our economy and workers and breathe cleaner air. economists left, right and center agree. early this year, wall street, not some liberal think tank, wall street outfit called moody's projected the investments in these bills can help our economy create an trillion two million jobs per year. that's going to be transformative. here's the deal. the jobs or for people that feel left behind, le

concern about the colorado river, whether or not we're going to be able to keep things moving no a jokeit's real. this is serious stuff. so you know, it's not going to ease up on its own. we have to invest in our resilience. building roads higher. we can build back better. we're the only country in the world historically that's gone through a crisis and come out the other end better than before the crisis hit. that's who we are as americans. in the a joke. think about it, those of you who teach history. think about it. we come out better than it was before. because we don't give up. we invest. we trust our instincts. so that's what i'm talking about. we need more strong ler levees, stronger power grids. more durable. able to withstand increasing ferocity and duration of extreme weather. used to be you'd build a road back the same as it was before, but you can't build back to the same standard. the weather has already changed. if we dent do something before we reach 1.5 degrees celsius we're in trouble. aye -- we haven't passed a major infrastructure bill for decades in this country. las

drought is being worsened by destructive wildfires, water shortages and reduced supply from the colorado riverexperts say it will take several years of higher than average rainfall to return. california's water table back to normal levels as communities impacted by the caldor fire, rebuild everything they've lost. one fulsome family is hoping their sweet gesture can actually be helpful. >> jeanne, when shows us what they're doing and how it's creating some buzz. >> for siblings janae drummond and andrew winners all the haha. it's been a very productive saturday morning running their honey stand in their full. some neighborhood golden honey, we're trying to. >> so some honey. and for business and we're also trying to support color fire victims. >> after jar peaceful some kids hope this honey can help anybody affected by the caldor fire. >> so we sought for the people that did lose their cabin. we thought we could help them in a way and because that could have been us and we wanted we would have needed help this hits close to home because they were lucky enough to have their family cabin spared

government has declared a shortage of water on the colorado river.oroville dam, lake oroville dam had to actually shut down its hydroelectric power plant for the first time since it was built in the '60s because there wasn't frankly enough water to supply that dam. we can't forget about the ongoing wildfires over the western u.s. we've set some records here. in fact, the second largest fire ever recorded in california state history, still burning out of control in some locations. and then we had our pacific northwest heat wave that shattered 342 all-time record high temperatures across the pacific northwest. that means that in 342 separate locations the temperature had never actually reached that high. now, in british columbia over western canada they reached their all-time record high temperature for the entire country of canada. this is incredible. 121 degrees. and that was broke three days consecutively. so we've got the fingerprints of climate change written all over this story. this past summer was a brutal time for climate change disasters. sev

my pal kyle perry took us along the colorado river where there's a declaration of a water shortage foree, it's lost 140 feet of water in just 20 years, and the effect that it has on power is profound. the hoover ■çdam, because of the water levels, is currently operating at a quarter reduced capacity. >> talk to me about the importance of power and how the dam is important in that way. >> as the lake goes down, less and less power is generated at the dam. for every foot that the elevation drops, the capacity drops by roughly 5.5 megawatts. >> that means each american ho nevada state climate■ç coordinator. >> did you see this coming to this extent. >> this is precisely the kind of thing we've expected all along with respect to climate change. i will say it's visceral. for those of us who worked on this issue for decades, it's sad to see that it's already here. >> that's the point. it's already here. you can see the rest of cal's report own peacock. new episodes debut thursday at 9:00 p.m. eastern time on nbc news now and on peacock the next day. when we come back, top military brass say