If it Rains: A Climate Perspective on the Dust Bowl

Join Research Integration Specialist, Jeff Lukas of Western Water Assessment at the University of Colorado-Boulder for a discussion on the evolution of the drought that caused the Dust Bowl. Jeff uses tree-ring records to get a longer perspective on the impact of drought in the West. This event is being held in conjunction with the exhibit, “Dust, Drought, and Dreams Gone Dry” that resides at the branch from March 6 until April 17.

The 1930s Dust Bowl disaster was caused by the convergence of rapid land use change and unusually severe drought conditions in the western Great Plains. We will first explore the evolution of the 1930s drought and the climate factors that led to its incredible severity. As part of that, we will look at why the 1930s were not as dry overall on the Western Slope, including Garfield County, as in eastern Colorado. We will use tree-ring records to get a much longer perspective on the Dust Bowl and other severe droughts than we can with the century-long instrumental record. And given our changing climate, we will see what lessons the Dust Bowl drought might have for us regarding the future of water and agriculture in Colorado.

"Three little words achingly familiar on a Western farmer's tongue, rule life in the dust bowl of the continent – if it rains." – Robert Geiger, Associated Press, April 15, 1935

"Dust, Drought, and Dreams Gone Dry" was developed by the American Library Association Public Programs Office in collaboration with the libraries of Oklahoma State University and Mount Holyoke College. The exhibition and tour were made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor.

Monday, March 16
7:00 pm

LIBRARY: