Chapter 11, Problem 1CR

To determine

The importance of the Colorado River basin in the United States and the way human activities are affecting this system. The term drought and the way it impacted the Colorado River system.

Answer to Problem 1CR

Colorado River basin provides water and electricity for about one of every eight people in the United States. The Colorado River system experienced drought due to human activities. A prolonged period in which precipitation is at least 70% lower and evaporation is higher than normal is known as drought. The drought condition has disrupted the Colorado River system.

Explanation of Solution

During the past 100 years, the Colorado River has been tamed by gigantic plumbing system consisting of 14 major dams and reservoirs, and canals. These dams and canals help control flooding and supply water and electricity to farmers, ranchers, industries, and cities.

The system of dams and reservoirs also provide water and electricity from hydroelectric plants at the major dams for about one of every eight people in the United States. About 15% of the nation’s crop and livestock is produced by utilizing Colorado River’s water. This system also supplies water to some of the driest and hottest cities of the nation. Colorado River provides support to the cities in the dry and desert-like climate.

The Colorado River system has experienced severe drought condition due to human activities. So much water is withdrawn from the river to grow crops and support cities that very little amount of it reaches the sea. Human activities caused degradation in the river’s aquatic ecosystems and dried up its delta.

Drought refers to a prolonged period in which precipitation is at least 70% lower, and evaporation is higher than normal. The drought condition resulted in disrupting the Colorado River system. This condition has severe implications for water supplies in the nation’s driest and hottest cities.