Colorado River: Integrated Water Resource Management

Question 1

What are the problems facing Colorado River?

Answer 1

Over-allocation of water

Prolonged drought depleting reservoirs (Lake Powell)

Climate change = reduce snow meltwater and increased evap

Historical lack of water management policies e.g. smart irrigation

Question 2

How is it being managed?

Answer 2

The Law of The River:

Allocates specific amounts of water to states involved and Mexico (Solves boundary conflicts)

Able to temporarily cut water in droughts so levels don’t deplete to dangerous level

Treaty with Mexico guarantees it rights to water (Minute 139)

Question 3

Conflict with Mexico

Answer 3

USA began diverting water from river to areas that needed development, meaning flow was reduced into Mexico

Mexico needs water from river to irrigate 5.5 million acres of land

Question 4

What is integrated water resource management?

Answer 4

Promotes a coordinated management of water to ensure social and economic equality, without affecting sustainability

Question 5

What conflicts may arise in USA?

Answer 5

North Californians think their water may be ‘owned’ by the south as they have agreed to provide water for them