Colorado River (2) Flashcards

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0
Q

How is the flow controlled

A

20 dams have been built
Dams from reservoirs such as the Hoover dam making the reservoir of lake mead (largest artificial lake in the world)
Glen canyon dam - third heist in the world

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1
Q

Basic facts

A

Flows through southwest United States and northwestern Mexico
2334km long
Source is the Rocky Mountains
Passes through gorges and canyons which were created by the erosion
Chief tributary is the green river
Drains parts of 7 states

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2
Q

Why is the river controlled

A

Store water for dry seasons
Store water for movement to areas of desert and drought
Hydroelectric power (HEP)
New settlements to be developed in desert areas

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3
Q

Economic gains of river management

A

Increased income of farming
Industries attracted to “sunshine sates”
HEP attracts new businesses
Cheap electricity reduces needs for oil and imports
Tourist attraction

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4
Q

Economic losses from river management

A

Fast growth - how long can the places be sustained of water runs out
Very expensive

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5
Q

Environmental gains from river management

A

Varied scenery, attracts different wildlife
Water provided for vegetation
Reduced dependence on fossil fuels
Flood risk reduced

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6
Q

Environmental losses from river management

A

Water table has fallen, new technology may not be good enough
Water management doesn’t always work - human error
Extraction of water may increase concentration of salt

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7
Q

Social gains from river management

A

New cities created
Families make fresh starts, from redundancies etc
New leisure opportunities

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8
Q

Social losses from river management

A

Image of wealth may attract crime

Tensions with Mexico, only 1% of Colorado’s water reaches it

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9
Q

What is the cascade system

A

Start of each month forecasts are used to predict likely runoff in the river system. Lower the levels of reservoirs over winter to allow snow to melt into them and rainwater to be stored
Overflow can be let through into other dams etc

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10
Q

What has gone wrong with the cascade system

A

1983 - late snow falls happened and the level of water was not lowered enough. An unexpected heat wave occurred and engineers were criticised for not lowering the levels further.

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11
Q

How is development creating longer term problems

A

More water in being drawn out of the underground reservoirs than how much rainwater is soaking up underground
Technology will have to go even deeper and it will have limits

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