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BYU Education Society Annual Conference

The Colorado River Basin has lost an alarming amount of groundwater at an accelerating rate over the past 20 years. Who does this most affect?

The states in the Colorado River Basin are split between the upper basin — Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah — and the lower basin of Nevada, California and Arizona. It also covers parts of Mexico.

The basin supplies water to about 40 million people and supports billions of dollars in agriculture. If nothing is done to replenish the groundwater, the region's economy and agriculture could be “at significant risk,” according to a new report.

Read more from Kevin Lind about the study and what it means for water use in the West.

More in Environment

Lifetime achievement: This man swam 10,000 miles and counting

Dennis Romboy writes:

On a warm May morning, Joe Horton, who turns 71 in July, swims laps at the Sports Mall in Murray, though he might as well be at Walden Pond. He powers through the lane in a turquoise swim cap, goggles and light blue trunks, his white beard flashing to the surface when he turns his head to take a breath. The waterline is where all his deep thinking is done.

“I find that my problem-solving skills are better after about 30 minutes of swimming. My mind would clear. I was just sharper. So I solved a lot of problems just swimming in the pool,” he said, a congenial tone to his voice.

“But also it’s like just sort of meditating. It lends itself to that because you can’t talk to anybody. The sounds are kind of meditative. You just hear the sound of the water as you move through it and you can’t see very far, so it lends itself to meditating and prayer.”

About a year ago, a close friend who had just run his 10,000th mile inspired him to calculate all his miles in the pool. He realized he was about 300 short of 10,000. He ramped up to six or seven times a week, hitting the milestone in late April. And he has no plans to hang up his goggles.

Read more about the healing power of water in Horton's life.

FROM OUR SPONSOR BYU EDUCATION SOCIETY

BYU Education Society Annual Conference June 20 - For educators across K-12 and higher education, individuals, and parents

Join us for a day of “Joy-Filled Learning Through Christ.” Keynotes include BYU Religion Professor Anthony Sweat who will present “A House of Learning: The Lord’s Teaching Methods in the Temple.” Plus, author Ganel-Lyn Condie and breakout sessions. In person or online. View agenda and register.

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