Drying of the American West Lab

Drying of the American West

PART A:

(STOP AND THINK)

1.       Consider what the "squiggly lines" on the graphs of page 2 in the "How Low Can it Go?" article really mean... Use the graph of Lake Mead levels to describe a brief history of the reservoir. Tell when and how the reservoir got started, how long it took to fill, and mention events that affected its level.

The squiggly lines are meant to show the level of water in each reservoir by each given year range. They demonstrate the trend of filling and emptying over the span of time graphed as well. Lake Mead became a reservoir in 1937, and was near capacity in 1940/1941, but then declined due to decreased rainfall and use ending in a drought in 1950. Lake Mead quickly recovered however from about 1956/57 and was nearly full around 1960, and maintained a healthy fluctuation until it was drained into Lake Powel in 1964 to about 50%. Both Reservoirs (Mead and Powell) saw healthy growth and natural dips in water level from 1964 to 1999, at which time Nevada (Las Vegas specifically) expanded its water use (as did a lot of the servicing areas) leading to a rapid decline by 40 to 60 percent (respectively) in just five years. Granted there are some decent regulations for use of this water as of 2004 and continuing to today, but this could have ended up a disaster, and still might if they aren’t careful.

2.       Beginning in 1964, how long did it take to capture enough water to fill both of the large reservoirs?

Both reservoirs hit their peak around 1983 which translates to approximately twenty years.

3.       The levels of Lake Powell and Lake Mead both show steep declines in the past decade. What are the two things that control the level of a reservoir?

I’m not sure if I was following the material closely enough, but the primary factors seem to be a combination of rainfall (which also effects the flow in to the reservoir), and usage (which has gone up significantly the past several years).

 

PART B:

(STOP AND THINK)

 

4.       Compare snowpack in a watershed to a dam on a river. How are they alike? How are they different?

Both a snowpack and dam can slow (or stop) the flow of water and create a lake or reservoir. The snowpack, however, is not a permanent or manmade structure; if the blockage melts, the water goes about its merry business (to whatever end).

5.       What effect does the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have on water supplies to the Colorado River Basin?

I have to preface this with a silly comment: I haven’t read anything about “El Nino,” in at least twenty years. In fact, I didn’t even realize this was a coupled event (with La Nina) involving the locale of rainfall (correlating with surface temperatures of large bodies of water). Growing up I just remember hearing about how El Nino was going to wreck us with rain and tropical storms (I also seem to recall something having to do with global warming). Anyway, this effect causes increased precipitation in the southwest, a good amount of which piles on snow in the Upper Colorado Basin, which in turn increases the flow of the Colorado River.

6.       How does increasing population of Sunbelt cities in the Lower Colorado River Basin contribute to lowering reservoir levels?

This is one of those unfortunate facts of life when it comes to humankind. We find more and more ways to ensure our survival, continue to draw out our already long years of life, and have no limitation (in our country at least) on how many offspring we produce. The more of us there are, the more water we use individually, and the more water it takes to grow the food supply needed for a large population. I remember some time ago reading the average water usage and water consumption to feed each person in our country, but not well enough to reiterate the numbers (nor do I recall the source to cite anyway), I do recall it’s staggering how much water each person uses / is responsible for the use of however. Granted I have a lot of ideas as to how we can alleviate this overuse (as well as others), but they seem to always result in my being made out to be some kind of evil Nazi fascist (what with wanting to ration to a degree and put a limit on the number of children we can have). Oh well, I guess we’ll see where continuing population growth gets us by the time I’m retired (although I’m not exactly hopeful).

7.       In your own words, describe what's responsible for lower reservoir levels in the Colorado River Basin.

This seems to be a fairly straight forward phenomenon. We over use, under regulate, and roll the dice on the weather to support our continued usage levels, rather than saving what we can for a rainy (or not rainy I suppose) day.

8.       List at least 3 possible impacts of the decline in water storage on the Colorado River.

The obvious impacts of any decline in water are destruction of animal and fauna that rely on the water source for life, immediate shortages of crops and livestock that are fed by the water supply, and of course, the inherent dangers posed to the inhabitants of neighboring areas that use the water source (everything from lack of running water to fires). The less obvious, but equally terrible consequence, could be the extinction of the majestic giant minnow found in the Colorado River itself (I’m kidding, but seriously, extinction of any animal is pretty sad).

 

PART C:

(Checking In)

Describe the trend of water use in the states of Arizona, California, Nevada, and the country of Mexico.

Water use in the southwest has only increased over the past fourteen years. Our need for water to allow increasing populations, and the need for more irrigated crops to feed said population will only increase as time wears on. One thing I always wonder about: perhaps people in southern Arizona should stop trying to maintain green grass lawns and waterparks? I know, I’m a fascist.

How does water use in the states compare to the natural flow of the Colorado River (see graph in Part B) over the same time period?

 

The Colorado River jumps around pretty drastically over the graphed period. Although I don’t really know exactly what comparison I’m supposed to draw from the information.

(Stop and Think)

9.       Calculate the percent increase in AZ water consumption between the years 1906 and 2008.

If my math is sound, the increase is about 3185% increased since 1914 (1906 isn’t on the graph).

10.   Based on the data in this section, describe what do you think will happen if the consumption of Colorado River Water continues to grow at its present rate. Have we reached the carrying capacity of the watershed? Explain your reasoning.

I would say yes, we have reached the capacity of watershed, even if we haven’t. As a semi-rabid environmentalist, it is always my stance that we should act as if there is little, to promote conservation until we reach a ridiculous surplus. Once we reach a ridiculous surplus, we should ration usage higher for a few years, then let our resources replenish to ridiculous through lower rationing. Imposed famine, controlled feast, famine, feast, it’s one of the best ways to ensure we will always have it.

(Checking In)

How might the change in water levels affect you as a recreational boater? Give a specific example, naming features that are labeled in the pair of images.

As a recreational boater, you could find yourself up the creek (ha ha ha) in regard to your favorite pastime. The illustrations clearly show Marinas becoming inaccessible due to water level changes, no marina means no boating typically. Even if you don’t have leased space, this type of change can adversely affect where you can even get your boat in the water from its trailer (there’s a word for these drop off spots, although it escapes me).

(Stop and Think)

11.   Given that long term changes in climate are reducing inflows into the reservoir, and that outflows through Hoover Dam are growing to meet demand by an increasing population, what is the projected result in the reservoir? What would you need to know in order to predict the date of the result?

It’s fairly obvious that reduced inflow and increased outflow will result in the reservoir getting to an unusable point, and possibly drying up all together. Unfortunately usage data and weather predictions can only get you so far. Without a crystal ball, it’s really impossible. You could guess 2021, and then be proven wrong my some gonzo monsoon that fills the reservoir over capacity. I won’t say it again at length, but I will say it again: We should pretend like the worst is going to happen, not that it might. Then if a crazy monsoon comes through, we can have a giant water fight with the excess.

12.   Based on data you examined in this lesson as well as other sources, do you think that reservoirs in arid lands prevent or merely postpone water shortages?

I’m sure there’s some fancy formula that I could use to prove this, but I’m inclined to believe that reservoirs only postpone water shortage. Over populating arid regions is intrinsically silly, and is literally asking for trouble. These types of reservoirs may make extended staying in these regions possibly, but it doesn’t make it any more wise, and it can’t guarantee a positive outcome.

PART: D

(Stop and Think)

13.   List the title of the photograph you chose and write a short paragraph to summarize the issue it illustrates.

I actually chose the picture of everyone playing in a pool in Phoenix. Granted, I suffer from moderate hydrophobia, but my views can’t be that skewed from it. I think allowing people to have pools (and or green lawns as I mentioned earlier) is a terrible idea. We let people chlorinate the hell out of tons of water, all for the sake of cooling off. I have a better idea: Don’t live in Phoenix if you don’t like heat. I know, I'm super negative.

14. Summarize the positive outlook with which the researchers end the article.

(I would like to note that I hate signing up for spam, even if it’s from National Geographic) The authors offer some light of hope about buying irrigation water from farmers, and a few different ways to fix some of the problem, and seem to be overall positive about the subject. Call me a pessimist, but I don’t see any real solution in sight short of simply packing up and leaving town (for good).

NOTE: I signed in to work on this weeks work and realized this wasn't published. My apologies for my absentmindedness.