Colorado floods could ease drought
The powerful flooding that has hit Colorado caused widespread damage to the state’s agricultural lands, but it also brought the promise of relief for a drought-stricken state.
Aerial footage shows big sections of inundated farmland, although it is too soon to put a dollar amount on damages.
Ron Carleton, the state’s deputy agriculture commissioner, says areas of concern include damaged produce, crops and irrigation ditches.
But benefits are likely to include recharged soils in drought-stricken areas. That will benefit next season’s plantings. The floods also may have refilled reservoirs that can help farmers next year.
The agriculture industry is Colorado’s third-largest, generating $8.5bn (€6.3bn) last year.
