How would you describe the water budget of the Colorado River? What was the basis for agreements regarding distribution of the river's water? Why has thinking about the river's discharge been so optimistic? Provide an overview of current conditions of the Colorado River system in light of the ongoing drought and increasing water demands.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Colorado River's water budget is stressed due to increased demands and reduced snowfall from climate change. Distribution agreements were based on a higher flow rate than which is currently seen. The optimistic thinking about the river's flow is based on these outdated measurements. Current conditions are dire, with reservoir levels at historic lows due to ongoing drought and increased water demands.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Colorado River's Water Budget

The water budget of the Colorado River is best described as the balance between its water inflow and outflow. The inflow mainly comes from precipitation, mainly in the form of snow in the high mountains of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The outflow is used for multiple purposes, including irrigation, municipal and industrial use, hydroelectric power generation, and sustaining ecosystems. The river is also a source of water for several states, Native American lands, and Mexico.
02

Basis for Water Distribution Agreements

The primary agreement for the distribution of the Colorado River's water is the Colorado River Compact of 1922. This agreement was based on river flow measurements taken in the early 20th century, a period marked by higher than average flows. This compact divided the river basin into two - the Upper and Lower Basins, and allotted 7.5 million acre-feet (MAF) of water to each annually.
03

Optimistic Thinking about River's Discharge

The optimistic thinking about the Colorado River's discharge probably stems from the earlier measurements of river flows, which were high. The Compact of 1922 assumed that the river's annual flow would be around 16.4 MAF. However, long-term data collected over more than a century now shows the river's annual flow averages at around 14.8 MAF.
04

Current Conditions in Light of Drought and Increasing Water Demands

Due to ongoing drought and increasing water demands from agriculture, industry, and a growing population, the Colorado River system is currently stressed. Snowpacks are decreasing due to climate change, reducing the river's inflow. Additionally, water demand from states, especially California, Arizona and Nevada, along with Mexico, is increasing. This situation is resulting in continuous overuse of the river's resources, with the river often running dry before it reaches its delta in the Gulf of California. Reservoir levels, such as at Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are at historic lows.

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