This event explored the lower Colorado River where virtually every drop of the river is allocated, yet demand is growing from myriad sources — increasing population, declining habitat, drought and climate change.

The 1,450-mile river is a lifeline to 40 million people in the Southwest across seven states and Mexico. How the Lower Basin states – Arizona, California and Nevada – use and manage this water to meet agricultural, urban, environmental and industrial needs was the focus of this tour. 

This three-hour virtual tour was hosted by Nick Gray and Jenn Bowles with technical support from Liz McAllister and included:

• An overview presentation on the Lower Colorado River Basin
• An hour-long video tour of key stops along the Lower Colorado River
• Live Q&A with the speakers in chat rooms where attendees could dive deeper into the topics

Topics Included:

• Drought conditions & contingency planning in the Colorado River Basin
• Lower Basin state perspectives – Arizona, California & Nevada
• The Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA)
• Warren H. Brock Storage Reservoir & the All-American Canal
• Binational water management
• Agricultural water use, drainage issues & salinity
• Urban use, history & development
• The Colorado River Basin Study
• Endangered species & the Multi-Species Conservation Program (MSCP)
• Salton Sea restoration 
• Climate change

As part of the event, participants received a copy of our Layperson’s Guide to the Colorado River and were entered into a drawing to win one of the Foundation’s beautiful water maps.

What attendees say about our virtual tours:

“Great job! I want to see all this in person. Will have to be on the bus next year.”

“Amazing event. Thank you so much. WEF is an amazing resource to the water community, which is everyone!”

“Thank you to all WEF staff for putting together such a great tour. Your ability to adapt is fantastic, and I hope that you produce more virtual tours like this.”

Stops Included:

• Hoover Dam
• Lake Mead
• Central Arizona Project facilities
• Whitsett Intake Pumping Plant, Copper Basin & other Metropolitan Water District of Southern California facilities
• Farms in the Palo Verde, Imperial & Coachella valleys
• The Salton Sea

Featured Experts Included:

• Mike Bernardo, river operations manager for the Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado Basin
• Seth Shanahan, Colorado River programs manager with the Southern Nevada Water Authority 
• Dale Thompson, supervisor with the Central Arizona Project
• Gene Patricio, section manager, and Jason Rollo, inspection trip manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
• Bart Fisher, farmer and trustee of the Palo Verde Irrigation District
• Brian Golding, Sr., economic development director for the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe
• Tina Shields, water manager with Imperial Irrigation District
• Chris Schoneman, project leader with the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
• Gail Sevrens, Salton Sea program manager for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Patrick O’Dowd, executive director of the Salton Sea Authority
• Peter Nelson, board member of the Coachella Valley Water District

Pricing Details:

Cost was $179 and included one copy of our Layperson’s Guide to the Colorado River.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

Deadline to cancel and receive a refund is three days prior to the virtual tour. Substitutions are allowed up to two days before the tour. Eventbrite fees are nonrefundable and the remaining amount may be subject to an additional 10% processing fee.

Continuing Education Credits:

Continuing education credits are available for California attorneys for an additional fee, and may be available for water plant/wastewater plant operators and other vocations/professions.