Colorado's Water: Science & Management, History & Politics

Colorado's Water

Science & Management, History & Politics

Provides a comprehensive look at Colorado’s:

• Water Lifeline
• Water History
• Climate and Hydrology
• Streams and River Systems
• Reservoirs and Lakes
• Physiography, Geology and Ground Water
• Water Balance: Supply and Use

Since its publication during Colorado's worst recorded drought, Colorado's Water has been well received among the state's water and education communities. Colorado's Water explains how water was developed as Colorado's most precious resource, and in 180 pages of text with many photos and diagrams it unravels mysteries of science and politics that amaze Colorado's old-timers and newcomers alike. Colorado's Water is the single most authoritative source for information on dams, water rights, development, environmental impacts, and other critical issues related to the state's water.

The land we call Colorado is endowed with fertile land, rich mineral lodes, and spectacular vistas. These support a growing economy, and attract people to marvel at our modern cities, snow-capped peaks, and irrigated farmland.

But our prosperity is built on a fragile water lifeline, and only during drought do people take notice of the limits of our water. While natives and newcomers alike may take Colorado’s water for granted, by learning about it, we take the first step toward stewardship. This book is offered to help by providing imagery of Colorado’s water resources and explaining our water heritage and management system.

Colorado’s water supply is a miracle of nature, ingenuity, and engineering that sustains over four million residents, waves of visitors, and a web of homes, businesses, farmers, and factories. Our understanding of it weaves geography, history, science, and politics into a rich tapestry of knowledge and our management of water connects us to each other.

How will we manage our water in the future? Will we improve our water system and protect habitat, or will we allow water to flow only toward money and ignore useful purposes? This book provides facts to aid our understanding, and to stimulate the thinking that will be required to manage water wisely in the future.

Edition:  2003, 180 pp.