Exxon predicted the Colorado River water crisis in 1979

Water levels in the Colorado River are reaching dangerous record lows, again, thanks largely to “hotter temperatures, evaporation and less melting snow” caused by fossil fueled climate change. 

Water restrictions now threaten the drinking water of 40 million people in seven Western U.S. states and Mexico and will threaten crop supply for millions more across the U.S. next year.

While the role of climate change in this crisis is clear today, oil giant Exxon knew for more than 40 years that the emissions from its fossil fuel products would cause this exact catastrophe, unless action was taken. 

In an internal 1979 memo about the company’s own study, Exxon employees predicted that, without a reduction in the use of fossil fuels, "the flow of the Colorado River would diminish and the southwest water shortage would become much more acute." 

Rather than do the right thing, Exxon and other oil and gas corporations launched a decades-long campaign to deceive the public and policymakers about climate change. They lied to protect their profits, and now communities that depend on the Colorado River are paying the price. 

You can explore more about what the fossil fuel industry knew and lied about in our Lie-brary. 

Image: Lake Mead in May 2022. By Don Barrett / flickr.