Case study Colorado river

Question 3

What is the length of the Colorado River?

Answer 3

2,334 km (1,450 miles)

Question 4

Where does the Colorado River originate?

Answer 4

Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA

Question 5

Where does the Colorado River flow into?

Answer 5

Gulf of California, Mexico

Question 6

How many U.S. states does the Colorado River drainage basin cover?

Answer 6

Covers seven U.S. states: Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, California.

Question 7

How many people depend on the Colorado River for water?

Answer 7

Provides water to 40 million people

Question 8

How much farmland is irrigated by the Colorado River?

Answer 8

Irrigates 5.5 million acres of farmland

Question 9

What major hydroelectric power facilities are associated with the Colorado River?

Answer 9

Hoover Dam (Lake Mead) and Glen Canyon Dam (Lake Powell)

Question 10

What climate does the upper basin of the Colorado River experience?

Answer 10

Experiences snowfall and seasonal precipitation

Question 11

What is the climate like in the lower basin of the Colorado River?

Answer 11

Has an arid to semi-arid climate with minimal rainfall

Question 12

What is the primary cause of the Colorado River’s flow?

Answer 12

Seasonal snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains

Question 13

What governs water allocation for the Colorado River?

Answer 13

The 1922 Colorado River Compact and subsequent agreements

Question 14

What percentage of the Colorado River’s allocated water is consumed by agriculture?

Answer 14

Agriculture consumes around 80% of the river’s allocated water

Question 15

What are the major cities that depend on the Colorado River?

Answer 15

Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Denver

Question 16

What environmental issue is caused by excessive water use from the Colorado River?

Answer 16

Declining flow and the river rarely reaches the Gulf of California

Question 17

What impact does drought have on the Colorado River?

Answer 17

Exacerbates water shortages

Question 18

What is a consequence of irrigation in arid regions along the Colorado River?

Answer 18

Increased salinity in the river

Question 19

What is one of the management strategies for the Colorado River?

Answer 19

Water conservation measures such as water recycling and xeriscaping

Question 20

What international agreement was made to address water-sharing during shortages?

Answer 20

The Minute 319 Agreement (2012) between the U.S. and Mexico

Question 21

What is a key challenge in managing the Colorado River?

Answer 21

Balancing competing demands for agriculture, urban use, and ecosystem health