EQ3-Integrated drainage basin management for large rivers colorado

where is the colorado river

• 621,597 km2

• Spans over 7 states of south western USA and mexico 

infratsructure along the river

• Contains 11 dams and reservoirs 

• The river is now one of the most regulated in the world. 

what 3 pressures is the river under

• population

• overabstraction

• drought

population

• Rapid population growth (eg 47% increase between 1980 and 2000)

overabstraction

• High water demand and over extraction due to population increase and largely irrigated areas like Arizona and Southern California 

• California takes 20% more than its allocation which had been agreed in 1963

drought

• Severe drought conditions By January 2005, the southwestern states were in the sixth year of a severe drought, potentially the driest period in over 100 years

CUP agreement

• Central Utah project (CUP) aims to divert water westwards from the Colorado River headwaters into the Bonneville basin of Central Utah

indigenous groups

native Americans along the river have water rights through treaties and agreements from the 1880's which are now being questioned leading to legal battles

how have issues changed over time

• The Colorado River basin now includes some of the driest lands in the US