An interdisciplinary team of USU climate scientists, an agronomist, and a fire and forest ecologist have developed a new computer model that is an important step in forecasting water levels of the Colorado River several years into the future—enough time to help farmers and water resource managers predict and prepare for years when water will be scarce.
The model shows that Colorado River flows are linked to sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Being forewarned about drought years can help farmers plan their crop rotations and help wildland managers prepare for wildfire seasons.
