Impact of Energy Development on Colorado River Quality
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Natural Resources Journal
Volume
17
Publication Date
10-1-1977
First Page
650
Last Page
671
Abstract
The water of the Colorado River is the life blood of the arid mountain west, the southwestern United States, and the Mexicali Valley of northern Mexico. It presently serves the needs of some 15 million people in supplying water for cities, irrigated agriculture, energy production, industry, and mining and in supporting fish, wildlife, recreation, and areas of unparalleled aesthetic value. Within this vast region the Colorado River is the key to the basin's future ability to meet the diverse demands made upon its resources, with the people of two countries depending on it for their economic security, recreational, and aesthetic needs. Yet the Colorado River Basin is water short, producing the lowest outflow per unit area (60 acre-feet per square mile) of any river basin in the United States.
Recommended Citation
Bishop, A. Bruce, "Impact of Energy Development on Colorado River Quality" (1977). Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications. Paper 2099.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cee_facpub/2099