As weather continues to be a factor for farmers and producers, growers all across the Western U.S. are seeing the impacts of drought first-hand. Now, access to electricity could also be challenged.
Several Western states are at risk of electricity shortages this summer as hydroelectric power dries up.
Persistently dry weather has cut off the amount of snowpack and precipitation feeding rivers and streams.
Last week’s triple-digit heat wave didn’t help the issue. Now, eight major hydroelectric facilities in drought-stricken California are forecast this year to be at about 30% of their 10-year average generation.
Stream flow forecasts for Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona are among the five driest on record.
