The Colorado River Flashcards
Potential for conflict
The distribution of different sectors.
Area
Drainage basin covers an area of 621,597km2 over seven states of south-western USA and Mexico.
Flows from and to
Stretching from the high mountains of the Rockies in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, it flows for 2,304km and falls over 4,376m from its source to the Gulf of California.
States allocated the most water
California is allocated 5,437 cu m and has a 364,217 ha area of irrigated land from the water. Colorado is allocated 4,748 cu m of water with a 768,900 ha irrigated area of land from Colorado Water
How California use the water
The water is used in projects including the Colorado River Aqueduct, the All American Canal and Imperial Valley.
How Colorado use the water
Trans basin transfers and Big Thompson and the crops produced using the water are hay, alfalfa, grains , vegetables and fruit.
States that receive the least water
Nevada receives the least, only 370m cu m. New Mexico receives the second least amount, only being allocated 1,040 cu m.
How Nevada uses its water
Used for urban needs and agriculture. Not used in any major projects.
How New Mexico uses its water.
Used in the Navajo-Indian and 10 smaller projects as well as the San Juan-Chama-Rio Grande Project. Also used to produce different types of crops.
Conflict between American states
Conflict about what to use the River for mostly and which states receive the most and least amount of water.
Mexico’s problem
Mexico receives a very limited supply, as they weren’t part of the Colorado River Compact - only American countries were. This has the potential to create conflict.90% of the water is extracted before it reaches Mexico.
Farmers as a stakeholder
Agriculture has always receiving some 80% of the water allocation
City Dwellers as Stakeholders
The southwest states have become increasingly urbanized and California is accused of using water other states may need.
Indigenous people
Native Americans along the River have claims to water rights based on treaties and agreements made between their tribes and government in the 1880s.
