There’s a drought along the Colorado River, but it has nothing to do with water.

Economic concerns have forced the athletic communities in Yuma and Lake Havasu to eliminate most of the travel from the budget, except for trips to Lake Havasu, the only school from the Class 5A Gila Valley Region not located in Yuma.

It also means creative scheduling on the part of Lake Havasu and the other schools, such as doubling up on opponents.

Lake Havasu plays Yuma Cibola and Kingman twice, and the Yuma schools all have at least one opponent that they will see twice.

In Lake Havasu, the school budget override failed for this school year, according to Lake Havasu High athletic director Roger Burger.

Participation fees have increased for both individuals and families. Bus charges for travel to Phoenix are $200 more than to Yuma and almost $600 more than to Kingman. That’s a lot of savings, if you include all sports at all levels. But that doesn’t include regional or state tournaments.

Burger said that the school has saved nearly $100,000 for travel in all sports, compared to when it was in Class 4A and traveled to Phoenix on a regular basis.

“My concern has shifted from getting power points to making sure we can play and worry about postseason later,’’ Burger said. “We all know how important the role of athletics plays in education, but unfortunately, being in a rural area causes issues because we travel everywhere to play.’’

Let’s hope the lean economic conditions become more fruitful. These athletes, and students with other activities, deserve a better fate.