The Stream, May 9: No Breakthrough in Ethiopian Dam Talks Between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan

The Global Rundown

Talks between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam fail to move forward. Illinois hopes to increase protections against an Asian carp invasion in Lake Michigan. The UN-sponsored HydroConference discusses ways to improve worldwide water supply data and monitoring systems. Prolonged drought in South Africa’s Western Cape shrinks the province’s historic grape harvests. The forecast for the Colorado River is grim following minimal snowmelt.

“It’s pretty dramatic. It’s a very low runoff season.” –Greg Smith, a hydrologist with the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, in reference to low water levels in the Colorado River. Following a winter of minimal precipitation, the Colorado River is only expected to carry 43 percent of the average amount of water to Lake Powell, a major reservoir in the western U.S. Colorado Public Radio

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By The Numbers

15 percent Amount that South Africa’s grape production is down from last year. Drought in the Western Cape continues to devastate vineyards, as well as South Africa’s wheat, apple, and pear crops. Reuters

In context: Circle of Blue’s coverage of Cape Town.

4 Types of Asian carp that are threatening to infiltrate the U.S. Great Lakes. Illinois is calling for talks between federal officials and other Great Lakes states to discuss fortifying a lock and dam in the Chicago area that separates the carp-infested Illinois River from Lake Michigan. The New York Times

Science, Studies, And Reports

UN entities, NGOs, and other “water stakeholders” are attending the World Meteorological Organization’s HydroConference from May 7-9. Talks at the event will focus on boosting water sustainability and on improving water supply data and monitoring systems across the globe. UN News

On The Radar

Technical talks between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan last week over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam failed to reach a consensus, according to Egypt’s foreign minister. Egypt fears that the dam, which is nearing completion, will reduce its available water supply. Another round of negotiations is scheduled for May 15. Reuters

Kayla Ritter

Kayla Ritter is a recent graduate of Michigan State University, where she studied International Relations and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is currently based in Manton, Michigan. Kayla enjoys running, writing, and traveling. Contact Kayla Ritter