Scientists warn rising salt levels in the Colorado River could get worse with climate change. They say that could have an economic impact here in San Diego. Todd Zwillich has this report.
The Colorado River is diverted at Parker Dam on the border between Arizona and California.
It's where San Diego and the Imperial Valley draw drinking water and irrigation supplies.
Salt levels are at 725 mg per liter at the Parker Dam, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. That's way above where it was in 2003. USGS scientist David Anning came to Washington this week from Flagstaff AZ. He warned that rising air temperatures could worsen the problem.
Anning: For a warmer and drier climate, we expect stream flow decreases. The graph shows us that as stream flow decreases, salinity is going to increase.
Today's salt level in the river costs the economy a total of $300 million per year, Anning says. He said reducing salt in the Colorado by 10 percent could save farmers and the water system $100 million.
From Capitol News Connection in Washington, I'm Todd Zwillich for KPBS News.
