The Colorado River - Endangered?

The Colorado River in the American Southwest

The Colorado River is heavily dammed.  There are 7 major dams that produce reservoirs along its 1450 miles.  Along its tributaries, there are another 50 or so.  The largest of these include Parker Dam, Hoover Dam, Glen Canyon Dam, and Grand Valley Diversion Dam.  These store not only vast amounts of water, but they are also important for hydroelectricity and as a source of fresh water.

It is the demand for fresh water that is causing the problem.  Irrigation, water for industry and public consumption, and evaporation all contribute to its depletion.  The river system supports some 40 million Americans and irrigates over 5 million acres of farmland.  Much of California, Nevada, and Arizona get their water from the Colorado River. The river basin provides water for about 10 percent of all the United States.

Between the dams, water extraction, and reduced rainfall from global warming, the river is running dry in places.  In fact, since the 1960s, it has rarely made it to its mouth in the Gulf of California.  Have a look at the map below.  You can see how the river has been somewhat decimated by man.  What used to be a mighty river now is a dry riverbed; water making it to the southern arid regions often disappears into the riverbed's substratum.  

Map of the southern end of the Colorado River in Mexico.  

Depending on where you go, the Colorado River looks fine.  I have been to several locations along its length.  Lake Havasu (see my photo below), for example, looks great and is a favourite place for tourists and locals to play.  Lake Havasu is a reservoir on the Colorado River made by the Parker Dam.  At its fullest, the lake holds over 200 billion gallons of water.  But, don't let that deceive you.  The river is dying, more and more each day.  One day, even the reservoirs may be empty.

My friend and I at Lake Havasu near the London Bridge.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com