WHERE HAS ALL THE WATER GONE?

BLYTHE, CA.

The Colorado River begins at the Continental Divide in Colorado and empties into the Sea of Cortez in Mexico. More than 20 dams have been built on the river for diversion irrigation into the Imperial Valley (Our nations vegetable belt.) of Southern California and Arizona with the result being the Colorado River, below Yuma, AZ., no longer flows into the Sea of California.

With reservoirs upriver, like Lake Powell (Now known as the "Dead Pool" and  Lake Mead at 12 year low water marks, the future of water in the southwest is questionable, at best.  Toss global warming into the stew, and in years to come, a dinner salad may cost more than the steak.  So it goes.

We are on the Colorado River just a little north of Blythe, CA.  We had no sooner set up camp when the telltale clicks and clacks of water on the roof signaled the forecasted rains had arrived.  24 hours later the clouds began to part and rain slowly subsided to a drizzle, finally quitting, leaving wide puddles everywhere.  With brown grass and wilting trees in this area, all and any moisture is welcomed with smiles.

After splashing about in one of the muddy puddles a Starling dries on a telephone wire in the sun.

Red Wing Blackbird

The Cottonwood trees are filled with noisy Red Wing Blackbirds and Boat Tailed Grackles.

Cape Turtle/Ring Neck Dove chooses a less crowded tree for its mournful cooing.

Out on the Colorado River, the Common Goldeneye (Whistler) duck pays no mind to the rain.