Dams, Reservoirs, and Water Rights

Flashcards about Dams, Reservoirs, and Water Rights.

April Snowpack Trends

Trends in April snowpack in the western US from 1955-2022 indicate how The West will be lost in regards to water (snow).

Human Degradation of Water Resources

Human activities degrade water resources through pollution (nutrients, pesticides, sediments) and altered flow regimes (runoff dynamics, over-extraction, discharge).

Flow Regime Components

Magnitude, frequency, duration, timing, and rate of change.

Channelization

Channelization increases flow rates, reduces complexity and habitat, and reduces terrestrial-aquatic linkages.

Dams Goal

Dams aim to reduce flow variability and sometimes provide water storage, with hydroelectric benefits.

Large Dams

Dams > 15 m tall.

Hydropower Capacity Leader

China has a substantial lead in hydropower capacity worldwide.

Dams in China

Dams and reservoirs in China are numerous and have significantly impacted the country's development.

Hydroelectric Dams

Traditional pond and release type of dam.

Hydropeaking

Maximizing profits from hydroelectricity.

Ecological Effects of Dams

Increased evaporation, decreased fish populations, overall loss of biodiversity, sources of greenhouse gases, wetland destruction, and sediment alterations.

Sedimentation in Reservoirs

Lifespan of reservoirs is limited due to sediment deposition, affecting nutrient movement and streams/floodplains.

Negative Impacts of Dams on Fish

They act as barrier to migratory fish species, causing mortality in turbines and slow downstream movement.

Droughts and Dams

They often have high evaporation losses, with significant volume reduction in major reservoirs like Lake Powell.

Future of Dams in the United States

No more large dams or diversions are planned, with public opposition and dam removals becoming more common.

Adaptations to Natural Flow Regimes

Adaptations to flooding and drought include life history traits (e.g., seed release timing), behavioral responses (e.g., movement), and morphological features (e.g., belowground biomass).

Importance of Freshwater

It is fundamental to life, shapes landscapes and cultures, and will cap human population growth, leading to increasing conflicts.

Water Scarcity

Demand for water is predicted to exceed supply by 40% by 2030, with agriculture being a major user and many cities facing water stress.

Water Rights in the US

Decisions are made at the state level.

Navigable Waters

Waters over which commerce can be carried or used for transportation.

Klamath River Water Rights Dispute

Yurok and Karuk tribes vs. Bob Flower farming family.

Typical Riparian Rights

Access to waterways, fishing, drinking, navigation, and household uses.

Reasonable Use (Water Rights)

Rights that take into account the rights of other riparians, requiring reasonable consumptive and non-consumptive uses.

Riparian Rights Doctrine

Tyler v. Wilkinson in 1827.

Chattahoochee River Tri-State Compact

Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.

Prior Appropriation Doctrine

“first in time - first in right”

Priority Rights Elements

Intent, Diversion, Beneficial use, and Priority.

Example of Prior Appropriations Doctrine

Prior Appropriations Doctrine (fictitious scenario)- Tyler v. Wilkinson in 1827

Dual/Hybrid Water Systems

The co-existence of riparian rights and appropriative rights.

Public trust doctrine

Public owns resource - state manages it.

Rule of Capture

Landowners own the groundwater beneath their properties, but neighbors do too…capture as much as you can as fast as you can.

Correlative groundwater rights

Size of property scales to groundwater use.

Reasonable use (groundwater)

Unlimited extraction as long as not damaging other wells or the aquifer (sustainable yield).