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Title:One River, Two Worlds: The Struggle
Between Nature and Society Over the Colorado Author:Keith
A. Bondaug, Jr. Abstract: The Colorado River has played an integral role in the development of both the American and Mexican societies. The intensive development of the Colorado River, specifically the building of multipurpose dams for flood control, power generation, irrigation, and recreation purposes has allowed both the United States' and Mexico's economies to flourish. However, the benefits of development did not come without grave consequences. The salinity problem in the United States and Mexico because of development and agricultural malpractice has rendered much of the southern Colorado River region close to marginal productivity. Not only is the economics of the Mexican agriculture at peril, but also in danger is the natural river system of the Colorado. International agreements have helped to ameliorate the salinity problem between the United States and Mexico by setting water quality standards. However, an "agreement" between both societies and the natural world does not exist. Although the interests of the social world has been met and agreed upon, the interests of the natural world have not. Only though an understanding of the needs required by nature and of the role humans have in nature, will there be a balance between the natural and social worlds. Key References: California Department of Water Resources: Office of State Water Project Planning. "Colorado River Region." http://rubicon.water.ca.gov/v2/CRR.html Hem, J.D. (1985). Study and interpretation of the Chemcical Characteritisc of Natural Water: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2254, 213-217. Lepawsky, Albert. (1963). International Development of River Resources. International Affairs, 39, 533-550. Wescoat, James Jr. (1986).
Impacts of Federal Salinity Control on Water Rights Allocation
Patterns in the Colorado River Basin.
Annals of the Association of American Geographers, 76, 157-174. Return to Water
Resources Papers page. |
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Date:
May 2002
Student: kbondaug@willamette.edu
ENVR 327: Water Resources
Instructor: Dr. Karen Arabas
http://www.willamette.edu/~karabas/courses/envr327w