"The federal report predicts a drier future for the seven states that rely on the Colorado for water. A range of solutions, some impractical, are proposed."

"Water demand in the Colorado River Basin will greatly outstrip supply in coming decades as a result of drought, climate change and population growth, according to a broad-ranging federal study.

It projects that by 2060, river supplies will fall short of demand by about 3.2 million acre-feet — more than five times the amount of water annually consumed by Los Angeles.

'This study should serve as a call to action,' U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Wednesday as he released a report that predicted a drier future for the seven states that depend on the Colorado for irrigation and drinking supplies. 'We can plan for this together.'

The analysis lists a range of proposed solutions, including some that Interior officials immediately dismissed as politically or technically infeasible. Among them: building a pipeline to import water from the Missouri or Mississippi rivers and towing icebergs to Southern California."

Bettina Boxall reports for the Los Angeles Times December 13, 2012. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Colorado River Won't Meet Needs of Users in 7 Western US States, 50-Year Report Finds" (AP) [3]

"Colorado River Basin Study Projects Future Water Shortages" (Salt Lake Tribune) [4]

"Department of Interior Releases Colorado River Study" (Las Vegas Sun) [5]