Agriculture is currently consuming more water than what is available from natural sources or stored in reservoirs.
Overconsumption has led to chronic drought conditions that have caused Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest reservoirs in the US, to drop dangerously low levels. In 2023 alone, an average annual overdraft of 10% was recorded for these lakes.
The Colorado River is a vital source of water for millions of people and crops in the American Southwest.
The Colorado River is a vital source of water for millions of people and crops in the American Southwest. However, overconsumption has led to chronic drought conditions that have caused Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest reservoirs in the US, to drop dangerously low levels. In 2023 alone, an average annual overdraft of 10% was recorded for these lakes. This means that agriculture is currently consuming more water than what is available from natural sources or stored in reservoirs. As a result, farmers must reduce their water use by at least 20% in the near future to prevent further depletion of the river's resources.
More than half of Colorado River's total annual water flow is used to irrigate agricultural land
Irrigation for agriculture was responsible for 74% of direct human usage and 52% of overall water consumption
>50 years because nearly every drop is being consumed as the waters flow south
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in that it implies that the agriculture industry uses more than half of Colorado River's total annual water flow. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as the report states that irrigation for agriculture was responsible for 74% of direct human usage and 52% of overall water consumption. The article also mentions other factors such as drought, overconsumption, and climate change which are main factors dissipating the amount of Colorado River water that will reach the Sea of Cortez on its journey through the Colorado River Delta.
The headline states 'More than half' but this is not entirely accurate. The report shows that irrigation for agriculture was responsible for 74% of direct human usage and 52% of overall water consumption.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article reports on the use of water from the Colorado River for agriculture in California. The author is ABC News and does not disclose any conflicts of interest.
The Colorado River no longer reaches the sea due to overconsumption in 16 of 21 years from 2000-2020. An average annual overdraft of 10% caused Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest reservoirs in the US, to drop to three-quarters empty by end of 2023.
The river's importance is to more than 4 million people and over 5 million acres of cropland. A full sectoral and crop-specific accounting of where all that water goes en route has never been attempted until now.
Accuracy
More than half of Colorado River's total annual water flow is used to irrigate agricultural land
Irrigation for agriculture was responsible for 74% of direct human usage and 52% of overall water consumption
Farmers must reduce their water use by 20% in the near future
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that 'barely a trickle of water' remains of the Colorado River as it approaches its outlet in Mexico after watering many cities and farms along its course. This statement exaggerates the situation and creates an emotional response from readers without providing accurate information.
The article states that 'there were a few years in the 1980s in which enormous snowfall produced a deluge of spring snowmelt runoff capable of escaping full capture for human uses'. However, this statement is misleading as it implies that these years are common and recent. In reality, such events occur very infrequently.
The author uses sensationalism by stating that 'barely a trickle of water' remains of the Colorado River as it approaches its outlet in Mexico after watering many cities and farms along its course. This statement exaggerates the situation and creates an emotional response from readers without providing accurate information.
Fallacies
(75%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The author uses language that dehumanizes the Colorado River by referring to it as 'barely a trickle' and saying that its water has been fully consumed before reaching its delta. The author also uses examples of large withdrawals of water stored in Lake Mead and Lake Powell to accommodate deficits, which could be seen as an example of monetary bias.
barely a trickle
fully consumed before reaching its delta
large withdrawals
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of water accounting and overconsumption as they are reporting on the Colorado River which is facing severe drought conditions. The article also mentions Lake Mead and Lake Powell which are major reservoirs that rely heavily on water from the river.
The author reports that 'the Colorado River no longer reaches the sea' due to overconsumption of its waters by various states in the American Southwest, including California. This is a clear example of how water accounting can lead to conflicts of interest and compromise objective reporting on this topic.
Water levels at Lake Powell have dropped steeply during the two-decade megadrought.
Nineteen percent of the Colorado River is consumed by natural environment, such as wetlands and riparian areas.
>50 years because nearly every drop is being consumed as the waters flow south
Irrigation for agriculture was responsible for 74% of direct human usage and 52% of overall water consumption
The river's importance is to more than 4 million people and over 5 million acres of cropland. A full sectoral and crop-specific accounting of where all that water goes en route has never been attempted until now.
>5 years because nearly every drop is being consumed as the waters flow south
Farmers must reduce their water use by 20% in the near future
Accuracy
Agriculture accounts for about three times usage of cities in consuming water from the Colorado River.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that the Colorado River rarely reaches the sea when in fact it does reach the sea but only a trickle of its water ever reaches it due to human activities such as siphoning and stalling by canals and dams. Secondly, while stating that agriculture accounts for about three times more usage than cities, they do not provide any specific numbers or percentages which makes their statement misleading. Thirdly, the article states that livestock farming produces between 11.1% to 19.6% of the world's climate-warming emissions but does not mention that this is a range and it could be higher or lower depending on various factors such as diet and management practices.
The title implies that the Colorado River rarely reaches the sea when in fact it does reach the sea but only a trickle of its water ever reaches it due to human activities such as siphoning and stalling by canals and dams. This is deceptive because it creates a false impression about where all of that water is going.
The article states that agriculture accounts for about three times more usage than cities but does not provide any specific numbers or percentages which makes their statement misleading. This is deceptive because it gives the reader an inaccurate understanding of how much water agriculture uses compared to other sectors such as industry and households.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment without providing any context or information about the credibility of the source. Additionally, there are examples of inflammatory rhetoric used throughout the article such as phrases like 'worst megadrought' and 'crisis'. The author also uses dichotomous depiction by stating that only a trickle of water ever reaches the sea when in fact it is not entirely accurate. Finally, there are examples of informal fallacies such as anecdotal evidence used to support claims about livestock farming's impact on climate change.
The study published in Communications Earth & Environment looked at two decades of data starting in 2000
Human-caused global warming decreased the Colorado River’s natural flow by roughly the amount of water that can be stored in Lake Mead, which is the nation's largest reservoir.
The vast majority of alfalfa and other grasses went to support beef and dairy industries.
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the natural environment and against agriculture. The author uses language that dehumanizes farmers by saying 'we consume every single drop' while ignoring the fact that humans also need water for survival. Additionally, the author only mentions one example of how people use water (cattle feed crops) but fails to mention other important uses such as drinking or sanitation.
The natural environment accounts for 19% of Colorado River's annual flow
Water consumption by agriculture is not mentioned in the article
President Biden's Investing in America agenda has led to record water savings
The Administration has identified a preferred alternative that will lead to at least 3 million acre-feet (maf) of system water conservation through the end of 2026
>50 years because nearly every drop is being consumed as the waters flow south
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it claims that the Biden-Harris administration has staved off the immediate possibility of the Colorado River System's reservoirs from falling to critically low elevations that would threaten water deliveries and power production. However, this statement is misleading as it implies that without President Biden's Investing in America agenda, such a scenario was imminent. In reality, while the administration has contributed funding for conservation efforts, there have been ongoing drought conditions in the region for decades which were not solely caused by any actions taken by the current administration.
The article states that with historic water conservation enabled by President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the Administration has staved off immediate possibility of Colorado River System's reservoirs falling to critically low elevations. However, this is misleading as it implies that without this funding, such a scenario was imminent. In reality, there have been ongoing drought conditions in the region for decades which were not solely caused by any actions taken by the current administration.
The article claims that President Biden's Investing in America agenda staved off immediate collapse of Colorado River system. However, this is misleading as it implies that without this funding, such a scenario was imminent. In reality, there have been ongoing drought conditions in the region for decades which were not solely caused by any actions taken by the current administration.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The author uses phrases such as 'historic water conservation enabled by President Biden's Investing in America agenda', which is an appeal to the authority of the president and his policies. Additionally, there are instances where the author makes statements that could be considered inflammatory, such as when they say that record conservation investments have helped stave off immediate collapse of Colorado River system. This type of language can create a sense of urgency and make it seem like action is being taken to address the issue at hand.
President Biden's Investing in America agenda has led to historic water savings
record conservation investments as well as improved hydrology, Lake Mead levels today are the highest since May 2021
The identified preferred alternative reflects a historic, consensus-based proposal secured by the Biden-Harris administration
Bias
(85%)
The article is an announcement of a major milestone in the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to protect the stability and sustainability of the Colorado River System. The article mentions that historic water conservation enabled by President Biden's Investing in America agenda has staved off immediate collapse of the system, which indicates bias towards positive reporting on this topic.
]President Biden’s Investing in America agenda has led to record water savings,
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to protect the Colorado River Basin and its short-term stability. The author is Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis of the U.S. Department of Interior, who has a professional affiliation with her department as well as personal relationships with other individuals mentioned in the article such as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Michael Brain.
Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis is quoted saying 'The Biden-Harris administration remains committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders, including states, tribes, Mexico and other federal agencies.'
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Michael Brain is also mentioned in the article as being involved in the efforts.
Reclamation Commissioner Camille Calimlim Touton is quoted saying 'We are grateful to President Biden for his leadership on this critical issue.'
Hay consumes a vast share of the Colorado River's water
Agriculture is the dominant user of Colorado River water, accounting for 74% of the water that is diverted about three times the combined usage of all cities that depend on it.
The study presents a complete and detailed analysis including extensive data on where river’s water goes across seven Western states and northern Mexico.
Accuracy
Hay consumes nearly two-thirds of agricultural water use.
Agriculture accounts for more than half of Colorado River's total annual water flow.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that hay consumes a vast share of the Colorado River's water when it only accounts for about two-thirds of agricultural water use and not all of it goes into producing beef or dairy products. Secondly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that agriculture is 'the dominant user' even though they do not provide any context on what percentage this dominance represents. Thirdly, the article implies that alfalfa and other cattle-feed crops consume 46% of water diverted from the river when in fact it only accounts for about two-thirds of agricultural water use.
The article implies that alfalfa and other cattle-feed crops consume 46% of water diverted from the river when in fact it only accounts for about two-thirds of agricultural water use.
The title implies that hay consumes a vast share of Colorado River's water, but it only accounts for about two-thirds of agricultural water use and not all of it goes into producing beef or dairy products.
The author uses sensationalism by stating that agriculture is 'the dominant user', even though they do not provide any context on what percentage this dominance represents.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the negative impact of agriculture on water usage in the Colorado River. The author uses language such as 'thirsty crop' and 'dominate user' to portray agriculture negatively. Additionally, the author highlights that alfalfa and other cattle-feed crops consume 46% of diverted river water which is presented as a negative impact on water usage.
