“Drought is arguably one of the greatest climate change related risks to stability of society and economy facing humans today,” warns a research report published by Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Earth and Space Science division.

The report, authored by Carl J. Talsma,Katrina E. Bennett,Velimir and V. Vesselinov, reviews machine learning techniques for analyzing the hydrology of the Colorado River basin. Using pattern recognition computer programing based on blind source separation techniques, researchers were able to identify key trends in climate and hydrology science.

Digging deeper into the earth system model simulations and hydrologic modeling and drought Indicators, Colorado Public Radio concluded that parts of Colorado and other Rocky Mountain states could be facing a water future that more closely resembles Arizona. Warmer temperatures, less snow and less rain are factoring into the Colorado River becoming an unreliable water source. Even if more precipitation were to occur, the warmer temperatures will cause it to evaporate faster.

The study and abstract can be read here.