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Drought on the Colorado River

Interactive passage with audio narration, comprehension questions, and printable PDF.

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Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 5678
Subjects: scienceela
Languages: English, Spanish

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Reading passage

Reading comprehension

Audio narration

With word word highlighting

Comprehension quiz

Auto-graded

Writing activity

Open-ended response

Glossary & flashcards

Vocabulary practice

Differentiated version

Adapted for varied levels

Spanish translation

Bilingual support

About this reader

This 400-500 word informational science passage explores the water crisis on the Colorado River for middle school students in grades 6-8. Aligned with NGSS Earth Science standards, the passage examines how climate change and heavy demand are creating a severe drought affecting 40 million people across seven states. Students learn about the megadrought that has dropped Lakes Mead and Powell to historic lows, the visible bathtub rings marking water decline, and the difficult negotiations states must undertake to reduce water consumption. The passage includes audio integration for accessibility, a Spanish translation, simplified version for struggling readers, glossary terms, comprehension questions, writing activities, and graphic organizers. This real-world example helps students understand water scarcity, human impact on natural resources, and the complex decisions required when managing limited freshwater supplies in Earth systems.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Colorado River Dry Delta, terminus of the Colorado River in the Sonoran Desert of Baja California and Sonora, Mexico, ending about 5 miles north of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California).Colorado River Dry Delta by Photographer: Pete McBride, U.S. Geological Survey / Wikimedia Commons

The Colorado River is a lifeline for the American Southwest. It supplies water to roughly 40 million people across seven states. The river also irrigates vast farmland and fills the taps of major cities. However, this critical water source is now in crisis. Climate change and heavy demand are pushing the Colorado River to its limits.

Scientists explain that a prolonged megadrought has gripped the region for more than two decades. A megadrought is an extended period of severe water shortage. Evidence shows that rising temperatures caused by climate change make this drought worse. Warmer air increases evaporation from rivers and reservoirs. Less snowpack forms in the mountains each winter. When spring arrives, less snowmelt flows into the river. These factors combine to shrink the Colorado River year after year.

The effects can be seen clearly at Lakes Mead and Powell. These two enormous reservoirs store water for millions of people. Both lakes have dropped to record lows in recent years. The famous bathtub rings mark how far the water has fallen. These white mineral deposits line the canyon walls above the current water level. Lake Mead, near Las Vegas, now sits at less than 30 percent of its full capacity. Lake Powell, upstream in Utah and Arizona, faces similar challenges. Scientists observe that if water levels drop too low, the dams may not generate electricity or deliver water downstream.

Because so many people and farms depend on one stressed river, difficult decisions must be made. Seven states share rights to Colorado River water through legal agreements. When the river cannot meet everyone's needs, states must negotiate painful cuts. In 2023, California, Arizona, and Nevada agreed to reduce their water use by millions of acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land one foot deep. Farmers may plant fewer crops. Cities may enforce stricter water conservation rules. These choices affect jobs, food production, and daily life.

This water crisis matters because it shows how water scarcity can impact entire regions. The Colorado River crisis is a real-world example of what happens when demand exceeds supply. It also demonstrates how climate change can worsen existing problems. Understanding these connections helps us make better decisions about managing Earth's limited freshwater resources.

Interesting Fact: The Colorado River once flowed all the way to the Gulf of California in Mexico, but now it rarely reaches the ocean because so much water is withdrawn along the way.

How many people depend on the Colorado River for water?

About 20 million peopleAbout 40 million peopleAbout 60 million peopleAbout 10 million people

What is a megadrought?

A short period of heavy rainfallAn extended period of severe water shortageA type of flood that lasts many yearsA sudden drop in temperature

According to the passage, what are bathtub rings?

Rings used to measure water depthWhite mineral deposits that show previous water levelsCircular patterns formed by fish in reservoirsEquipment used to clean reservoirs

In the passage, the word 'evaporation' refers to water changing from liquid to what?

IceSteamVaporSnow

What can you infer about the relationship between climate change and the Colorado River drought?

Climate change has no effect on the droughtClimate change makes the drought worse by increasing temperatures and evaporationClimate change only affects the river in winterClimate change brings more water to the river

Why must states negotiate water cuts when the Colorado River cannot meet everyone's needs?

Because they want to save moneyBecause seven states share legal rights to the river's waterBecause farmers prefer using less waterBecause cities do not need much water

If a city wanted to help address water scarcity on the Colorado River, which action would be most effective?

Building more swimming poolsEnforcing stricter water conservation rulesEncouraging people to water lawns more oftenIncreasing the number of car washes

Based on the passage, what would likely happen if water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell drop too low?

The dams would produce more electricityMore water would flow downstreamThe dams may not generate electricity or deliver water downstreamThe reservoirs would fill up quickly

True or False: The Colorado River currently flows all the way to the Gulf of California in Mexico.

TrueFalse

True or False: Lake Mead is currently at less than 30 percent of its full capacity.

TrueFalse