Colorado River users, interests meet in San Diego

Colorado River users, interests meet in San Diego

Discussion about the future of the drought-struck Colorado River is on the agenda in San Diego for officials from seven Western states, Indian tribes and conservation groups in a meeting hosted by federal water managers.

Today’s meeting comes amid predictions of looming shortages on the river serving some 40 million city dwellers, farmers, boaters and businesses in California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Mexico also has a stake.

The work meeting follows a declaration in December from former U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that the Colorado River might not be able to meet demands of a growing regional population over the next 50 years.

Bureau of Reclamation administrators say 2013 could be the fourth-driest year in the basin in the past 100 years. Last year was fifth-driest.