Case study Colorado river Flashcards
What is the length of the Colorado River?
2,334 km (1,450 miles)
Where does the Colorado River originate?
Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
Where does the Colorado River flow into?
Gulf of California, Mexico
How many U.S. states does the Colorado River drainage basin cover?
Covers seven U.S. states: Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, California.
How many people depend on the Colorado River for water?
Provides water to 40 million people
How much farmland is irrigated by the Colorado River?
Irrigates 5.5 million acres of farmland
What major hydroelectric power facilities are associated with the Colorado River?
Hoover Dam (Lake Mead) and Glen Canyon Dam (Lake Powell)
What climate does the upper basin of the Colorado River experience?
Experiences snowfall and seasonal precipitation
What is the climate like in the lower basin of the Colorado River?
Has an arid to semi-arid climate with minimal rainfall
What is the primary cause of the Colorado River’s flow?
Seasonal snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains
What governs water allocation for the Colorado River?
The 1922 Colorado River Compact and subsequent agreements
What percentage of the Colorado River’s allocated water is consumed by agriculture?
Agriculture consumes around 80% of the river’s allocated water
What are the major cities that depend on the Colorado River?
Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Denver
What environmental issue is caused by excessive water use from the Colorado River?
Declining flow and the river rarely reaches the Gulf of California
What impact does drought have on the Colorado River?
Exacerbates water shortages
What is a consequence of irrigation in arid regions along the Colorado River?
Increased salinity in the river
What is one of the management strategies for the Colorado River?
Water conservation measures such as water recycling and xeriscaping
What international agreement was made to address water-sharing during shortages?
The Minute 319 Agreement (2012) between the U.S. and Mexico
What is a key challenge in managing the Colorado River?
Balancing competing demands for agriculture, urban use, and ecosystem health
