The Colorado Rover, by Paul Klaassen
Colorado River
Length: 2225 km
Watershed area: 28 million ha
Primary source of supply: headwater snowmelt
The most important applications for Colorado River water nowadays are generating electricity, irrigation of farmland, recreation and production of drinking water (mainly for use in large cities).
Environmental problems
The biggest problem concerning water management is the historical view of Americans on the use of natural resources. Natural resources are looked upon as implements to serve humans.
Conclusion
Because of this view and the legislation derived from it, a situation has developed over nearly 100 years in which the former rough and dynamic river is "tamed" by dams and barely reaches its estuary because of water extraction. In this original legislation the first one who extracted water from the river got the rights of extracting this amount in future, irrespective of the amount that others are extracting. This raised a competitive battle among water users of the upper- and lower part of the basin to extract as much water as possible to ensure enough water for future purposes. Also the tendency of Americans to try to maintain a current situation and handle the negative consequences with effect-oriented measures, has contributed to the, by now, seemingly irreversible process of water extraction.
Abstract
The Colorado River is a relatively big river. It’s located in the western part of the United States of America . The river has got a unique geological history and wonderful nature and wildlife. The river basin encompasses a divers variety of landscapes from mountains and agricultural land to deserts. A population of nearly 25 million people live in this river basin and depend on the river for their water supply and in some degree for their power supply. The fact box below gives some general information on the river basin.
The most important applications for Colorado River water nowadays are generating electricity, irrigation of farmland, recreation and production of drinking water (mainly for use in large cities).
Increasingly, power operations are being restricted for environmental and recreational purposes. Some dams have reduced generation by 25 to 30 percent. The use of more polluting power sources is studied. These sources will emit air pollutants and cost significantly more than existing hydroelectric projects. Public bodies purchasing federal power emphasize conservation. Their extensive demand and supply side conservation programs and research on renewable energy have existed since before 1980. Since 1980 study programs requiring documentation of customer areas’ conservation projects, and the Bureau of Reclamation alternative power source studies include conservation through demand side management.
Since 1846, the amounts of water used for irrigation of farmland have grown dramatically. This was done first through private efforts and later on federal reclamation as a means of settling the West. Bigger projects followed in both the upper and lower basins. Major dams impounded water on the Colorado and conveyance systems provided irrigation to acreage once only turned green in daydreams. Today more than 1.75 million acres (+/- 700.000 Ha) of land are irrigated with water from the Colorado River.
Recreation is a still growing user of river water. In the Colorado River Basin a few National Parks and a few recreation areas are situated. National Parks are protected natural areas in which as less recreational facilities as possible are realised. In recreational areas, as much recreational facilities as possible are realised, besides preserving the landscape.
Providing for urban water needs in the ‘90s, whether it is from the Colorado River or any other source of supply, is becoming more and more complex, because of all the different parties concerned. But no matter how you slice it, one fact emerges loud and clear. The Colorado must provide water for millions of city dwellers. And to do this, each state must balance its river deliveries with supplies from other sources, must deal with the concerns of its cities, some unique, some common to all.
All these factors make water management an important task, which can have great consequences on the river basin. The biggest problem concerning water management is the historical view of Americans on the use of natural resources. Natural resources are looked upon as implements to serve humans. Because of this view and the legislation derived from it, a situation has developed over nearly 100 years in which the former rough and dynamic river is “tamed” by dams and barely reaches its estuary because of water extraction. In this original legislation the first one who extracted water from the river got the rights of extracting this amount in future, irrespective of the amount that others are extracting. This raised a competitive battle among water users of the upper- and lower part of the basin to extract as much water as possible to ensure enough water for future purposes. Also the tendency of Americans to try to maintain a current situation and handle the negative consequences with effect-oriented measures, has contributed to the, by now, seemingly irreversible process of water extraction.
Since the early 80’s of the 20th century, the understanding has began to rise that if nothing changed dramatically in the current situation, “sustainable water management” couldn’t be realised. Future research should concentrate on alternatives for river water use and on manners to use water more efficiently and to avoid water wasting.
Figure 1: The Colarado River Basin
Figure 2: State map of the United States
Used Internet addresses:
The Colorado River water conservation district
The Colorado River water users authority
Grand Canyon Explorer
California Environmental Protection Agency
Colorado River Guide Service
Hoover dam site
International boundary and Water commission web site
Geology field notes of the Grand Canyon
Encarta Encyclopedia
Britannica Encyclopedia
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