Water extraction - Colarado river

How many people rely on the Colorado river as their source of water?

36 million people

How many states are the water supplies divided between?

7 states

What is the name of the famous dam?

The Hoover Dam

How much of the water is used for irrigation?

90%

How large is the Colarado River?

630,000 km2

Where has there been water shortages due to overextraction?

California and Nevada

Difference in flows before and after the dam was built?

Before the dam, the peak flows of the river were between 2500 and 3000 cumecs compared to the current flows of the river after the building of the dam being 85 cumecs

Before the dam was built the river exceeded 850 cumecs….

18% of the time

After the dam was built the river exceeded 850 cumecs….

3% of the time

How does the fact that the river no longer reaches the sea effect the carbon cycle?

The river weathers the ground and then carries sediment. It cannot reach the sea for sequestration, so the sediment builds up. It takes up space intended for water storage and it adds load pressure to the dam. Furthermore, it makes the reservoir shallower, reducing recreational access.