Navigating the rapid rivers of policy
One of the most contested water management policies in the United States relies on an ill-informed agreement forged more than a century ago. The 1922 Colorado River Compact “ignored available science and overallocated the river’s water,” say the scientist-authors of the lead story in this year’s policy issue. But it’s not too late to change course, they argue in “Fixing the Flawed Colorado River Compact.” Data from rivers and other inland waters can inform policies surrounding climate action and conservation, as well as water management, as evidenced by “Inland Waters Are a Blind Spot in Greenhouse Gas Emissions” and “Kansas Prairie Streams Are Getting Choked, Maybe for Good.” Both articles focus on the sobering challenges of evaluating riverine and riparian ecosystems.
Related Colorado River articles:
- Salt Lake Tribune: St. George got hammered in the national media as a water waster. Can the green spot in the desert become a saver?
- News release: CU Boulder secures $750K to improve drought preparedness in Western U.S.
- Arizona Public Radio: Hydropower users, environmentalists call for more options for smallmouth bass