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Western Water: The Colorado River: Building a sustainable future

Posted by: Maven on February 1, 2010 at 7:53 am

WW_NovDec09From the latest issue of Western Water, this article written by Sue McClurg:

“Diverting water for farms and cities, generating hydro¬electric power, supplying an ever-growing urban population and protecting endangered species have all shaped the development and management of the Colorado River we know today. How to sustain the system and build a resilient future for what is known as the “lifeline of the Southwest” is the task facing the region and the river’s multiple users.

The list of major challenges facing the Colorado River’s diverse stakeholders – the states, the United States government, the Republic of Mexico, power suppliers, Indian tribes and environmentalists – is daunting: preparing for climate change, managing the river for both water supplies, power generation and environmental protection, settling Indian water rights claims, and reaching agreement with Mexico on transboundary issues. Historically, there has been much debate and disagreement (including litigation) over the river. Today’s issues are no less contentious, but at the Water Education Foundation’s September Colorado River Symposium, lead¬ing policymakers pointed to a series of recent agreements on water allocations and river operations as the foundation for future compromise.

“I would characterize the way that we have come to the point where we are now, which I frankly am currently encouraged by, is ‘the chaos theory of water negotiation,’” said Jim Lochhead, an attorney with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. “We go through a lot of painful discussions with a lot of interests in the room. A lot of stuff gets thrown at the wall and at the end of the day we come forward with some pretty far-reaching and innovative solutions. And I think the lesson is that as long as we keep talking and as long as we bring different interests at the table we can move forward.”

In the past decade, several major milestone programs and policies have been adopted to address issues related to river restoration, water allocations, water marketing, groundwater banking, reservoir operations during droughts and ways to stretch water supplies through conservation and other measures. These agreements are now part of what is known as the “Law of the River.” Many regard the major components of the Law of the River as a constitution because it establishes a framework for managing the river’s resources. … “

Continue reading this excerpt from Western Water by clicking here.

Also, now available from the Water Education Foundation:

The Winter 2009-2010 issue of River Report, “Balancing the Colorado River’s Ecosystem and Water Delivery Capability,” looks at some of the issues associated with balancing the Colorado River’s ecosystem and its water delivery system.

Much of the content is based on the comments of a panel assembled at the Foundation’s invitation-only 2009 Colorado River Symposium.
Download the entire issue for FREE by clicking on the link below, or purchase a printed copy for $3.00 through our online store. Visit www.watereducation.org and click on the Products tab.

Click here to read River Report.

February 1, 2010 · Filed Under Colorado River & the Southwest

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