Yes. 100 years ago, the population of the SW and California deserts was small. Then the huge water projects, huge power projects and cheap ubiquitous air conditioning made it possible to live and grow food there (and play golf there).
The one city that has it right is Las Vegas. They dont use their share but, they certainly are going to suffer.
Right now, the new water intake they completed is sucking in increased amounts of silt from the increase in Delta Flow as a result of bank erosion along the system.
And like you said, years ago there wasnt the population.
I remember when there was no houses in between Henderson and Boulder City at the Railroad Pass. And that was just 20 years ago.