Colorado River Basin Faces Water Flow Decline Due to Plant Groundwater Use
• Plants in the Colorado River Basin are increasingly using groundwater during droughts, reducing river flow.
• A Princeton University study identified a 'drought paradox' where plants maintain transpiration by tapping into groundwater reserves.
• This increased groundwater reliance by plants exacerbates water scarcity in the already strained Colorado River Basin.
Plants use groundwater, reducing river flow
A recent study shows plants in the Colorado River Basin increasingly depend on groundwater during hot, dry periods, reducing river flow. Princeton University environmental engineers studied the East River watershed in Colorado, using sensors to measure water movement over two years. Results showed plants keep or increase transpiration by using groundwater when soil moisture is low. This 'drought paradox' means water that should flow into the river is used by plants, worsening water scarcity in the Colorado River Basin.
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